Suffolk County Theft Attorney
If you have been charged with a theft crime, from larceny or burglary to shoplifting, the consequences can be devastating. In addition to fines and jail time, you can lose your job or the opportunity to work in certain occupations. You need an experienced criminal defense lawyer working to protect your interests. At Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron, in Sayville, New York, we can help.
At our office, our theft charges defense lawyers defend individuals throughout Suffolk County and Nassau County who have been charged with theft crimes. Before establishing our criminal defense practice, attorney Bryan Cameron served as a prosecutor for four years, where he personally handled felony and misdemeanor criminal cases. In our private practice, we have defended the rights of thousands of clients. For a free initial consultation, contact our office or call us at 631-319-3487, toll-free at 888-816-9087.
What are the consequences for theft convictions in New York?
The specific consequences for a theft conviction depend on the classification of the offense. Below are examples under New York law:
- Petit larceny: This is a misdemeanor charge, and it applies when the value of the goods is below $1,000. It can result in financial penalties, probation, community service and/or a jail term of up to one year.
- Class E grand larceny: This is a felony charge that is used when the value of goods is over $1,000, and it could lead to four years behind bars.
- Class D grand larceny: This felony applies when the value is over $3,000. The maximum prison term is seven years.
- Class C grand larceny: This applies when the value is over $50,000, and it can lead to a prison term of 15 years.
- Class B grand larceny: This is used when the value is over $1 million, and the maximum prison term is 25 years.
Even minor charges can have a major impact on someone’s personal life, employment opportunities, educational opportunities and more. Anyone facing charges needs to know what legal options they have.
What are some defense strategies for theft crimes?
Early legal intervention is important when facing theft crime allegations. This can help you navigate the legal process and determine what defense strategies to use, which will differ depending on the specifics of the case.
For instance, someone charged with shoplifting may claim that they simply forgot they had the item in their cart or that there was a misunderstanding. Perhaps someone else placed the item in their cart without their knowledge. They never had any intent to commit theft.
A technological error could also lead to theft allegations. For instance, someone could be accused of failing to scan items at a self-checkout, but they may claim that they attempted to scan the items and didn’t realize the transaction never registered. Again, there was no intent to commit any level of theft.
Our team can help you determine what tactics to use and the next steps to take.
Our Defense Of Theft Crimes
We aggressively defend men and women charged with all types of theft crimes, including:
- Larceny. We defend people charged with petit or grand larceny, from high-value crimes to a minor offense involving theft from a store.
- Burglary. We handle charges involving entering the home or building of another to commit a crime.
- Robbery. Our lawyers defend people who have been charged with stealing or taking the property of another through violence or the threat of violence or the use of a weapon.
- Shoplifting (“Petit larceny”). We defend customers who have been charged with stealing merchandise from a business or commercial operation.
The theft crimes that go to trial are often high-level crimes, with significant fines and jail time as potential penalties. These cases involve extensive requests to produce documents, interview witnesses, obtain statements, or gather other evidence. We often employ private investigators to help us put together the strongest case for your defense.
In regards to shoplifting cases, most of these matters can be negotiated so that after a period of time the criminal matter will be dismissed. Our office will also advise you on the best way to protect your interests in regard to the civil matters that accompany such criminal charges.
We also handle cases involving employee theft. To learn more, see our page on white collar crime.
In all matters, our primary goal will be to limit your interaction with law enforcement officers. If you have not made a statement to the police, contact us before you do.
Contact Law Office of Bryan E. Cameron
To schedule an appointment for a free initial consultation, contact us or call us at 631-319-3487 (toll-free at 888-816-9087). Our office is open Monday through Friday during traditional business hours, and evenings and weekends by request. We are available to take your phone call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We accept Visa and MasterCard.
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