Harford County Theft Lawyer

Harford County, located on the Chesapeake Bay, attracts tourists year-round due to its abundance of shopping, dining, and cultural events. The county is a mix of small towns and larger urban centers, and, as with a community of any size, disputes as to the ownership of various types of property can occur. According to a 2013 Harford County Sheriff’s report, there were 1,542 reported thefts in the county in 2012.

Theft crimes involve seeking to gain unauthorized control over property that belongs to someone else, either through deception, by abandoning or concealing it so the owner is unable to use it, or by accepting property or goods that were known to be stolen.

In Section 7-102 of the Maryland criminal code, theft is defined as a single crime that includes seven separate crimes, formerly referred to as the following:

• larceny
• larceny by trick
• larceny after trust
• embezzlement
• false pretenses
• shoplifting
• receiving stolen property

If you have been accused of any of these charges you may want to contact a Harford County theft lawyer as soon as possible, so they can fight for your rights.

Theft in Harford County

The penalty for theft crimes correlates to the market value of the property stolen. In situations where the market value is unknown, the replacement value of the property is the determining factor. Crimes in which the stolen property is valued at $1,000 or more are charged as felonies, while those in which the property has a value of less than $1,000 are considered misdemeanors.

The definition of property under state law broadly encompasses anything of value and can include such things as pets, data, real estate, or even utilities.

For theft crimes of property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, you could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and be fined up to a $10,000.

Property valued between $10,000 and $100,000 can lead to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Over $100,000 in value carries a penalty of up to 25 years in prison and a fine up to $25,000.

Misdemeanor theft crimes with property valued between $100 and $1,000 can receive a penalty of a $500 fine and a jail term no longer than 18 months. Crimes of stolen property valued under $100 can result in a $500 fine and 90 days in jail. If you have been previously convicted of theft valued under $1,000, you face up to a $5,000 fine and up to five years in prison.

Theft-Related Crimes in Harford County

Burglary refers to the act of breaking into a home, vehicle, business, or other entity with the intent to commit a crime inside, often theft. Burglary charges range in severity from first to fourth degree. First- and second-degree burglary charges carry potential prison sentences of up to 20 years; a third-degree offense results in a sentence of up to 10 years; and a fourth-degree offense is considered a misdemeanor with up to a three-year sentence.

Robbery refers to the attempt to gain control over someone else’s property through the use of force or threat. When a weapon is used, the charge is armed robbery. If convicted, a prison term of up to 15 years for robbery and up to 20 years for armed robbery may result. By reaching out to a Harford County theft lawyer you can learn more about potential penalties you may be charged with.

Harford County Theft Crime Lawyers

A theft crime conviction, particularly for a felony charge, will cause serious difficulty in acquiring housing and employment, as well as damage your social and community ties. If you are charged with a theft crime in Harford County, our criminal defense attorneys will develop a strong defense built around the details of your specific circumstances.

In the event you had no knowledge that goods were stolen, or otherwise believed you were rightfully entitled to the property in question, our theft crime lawyers will use their extensive skills to have the charges reduced or dismissed.

Facing criminal charges is overwhelming, and our attorneys have the experience and compassion to guide you through the legal process, advocate aggressively on your behalf, and achieve the most favorable result for your case. Contact an experienced Harford County, Maryland theft lawyer today.