Prince George’s County Theft Lawyer
Prince George’s County is a vibrant area located just outside of Washington, DC. It is easily accessible by car or Metro, offering tourists the opportunity to spend a weekend visiting attractions such as the Six Flags amusement park or the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Densely populated, the county has its share of crime, including theft.
Any attempt to gain unauthorized control over someone else’s property is considered under criminal law to be theft. Control can be gained by deception, by rendering the property unusable to the owner (either by concealment or abandonment), or by the receipt of stolen property.
Theft is treated as a single crime under section 7-102 of the Maryland Criminal Code, which encompasses the following formerly named and separate crimes:
- Embezzlement
- False pretenses
- Larceny
- Larceny by trick
- Larceny after trust
- Receiving stolen property
- Shoplifting
If you need representation after being charged with any of these offenses, call a Prince George’s County theft lawyer right away.
Theft in Prince George’s County
State law defines property in broad terms that cover both living and inanimate things, such as pets, real estate, documents, or data.
In property crimes, the market value of the property stolen factors into the penalty. Replacement value may be substituted when market value is unknown. Theft of property valued at $1,000 or more receives a felony charge, and theft of property valued under $1,000 is charged as a misdemeanor.
For theft crimes of property valued between $1,000 and $10,000, you could be sentenced up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $10,000.
A theft involving property with a value between $10,000 and $100,000 carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
Theft of property with a value over $100,000 brings a penalty of up to 25 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine.
Theft crimes of property valued between $100 and $1,000 are misdemeanors and receive a $500 fine and no more than 18 months in jail. Theft of property valued at less than $100 brings a $500 fine and a jail term of 90 days. A previous conviction for theft of property under $1,000 results in up to five years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
Burglary and Robbery in PG County
Breaking into a residence, vehicle, or any other type of building while intending to commit a crime such as theft is referred to as “burglary.” There are four degrees of burglary. First- and second-degree convictions are felonies and result in sentences of up to 20 years. Third-degree felonies result in sentences of up to 10 years, and fourth-degree charges are misdemeanors with sentences up to of three years.
Robbery crimes involve the use of violence or threat of violence to gain control of property. Armed robbery involves the use of a weapon during the crime. A robbery conviction brings up to a 15-year prison term, and armed robbery brings a sentence of up to 20 years.
A Prince George’s County Theft Attorney Could Represent You
Criminal convictions cause hardship when you attempt to find a job or obtain housing following a prison term. Our Prince George’s County theft lawyers will use their criminal defense skills to fight for a reduction or dismissal of charges, particularly if you obtained property that you did not know was stolen, or that you thought belonged to you.
Involvement in a criminal case is stressful, and the legalities can be confusing. With one of our attorneys by your side, you have an advocate who is completely knowledgeable in all aspects of criminal procedure and can give you the best chance for a fair legal outcome.