Goodyear Theft Crimes Lawyer

After being taken into police custody and booked, you may be feeling overwhelmed and terrified about what is to come. 

You could be facing severe criminal penalties if you are found guilty of a theft crime. It is crucial that you safeguard your future by hiring a Goodyear theft crimes lawyer from Suzuki Law Offices to help you defend yourself. Our team of former state and federal prosecutors has insight into how the state may approach your theft case. 

In some instances, your Goodyear criminal defense lawyer may be able to convince the prosecutor to enroll you in pretrial diversion or offer a plea agreement, allowing you to avoid the risks of a trial. Discuss potential defense strategies further when you contact our office to request a confidential case evaluation.

Consequences That Follow if You Are Convicted 

The value of the property or services stolen will determine the extent of your sentence as described under ARS § 13-1802. The greater the value, the harsher the consequences will be. Penalties could include:

• Class one misdemeanor – If convicted of a class one misdemeanor, you could be fined as much as $2,500 and spend up to six months in jail.
• Class six felony – If convicted of a class six felony, you could be fined as much as $150,000 and spend close to six years in prison.
• Class five felony – If convicted of a class five felony, you could be fined as much as $150,000 and spend at least two and a quarter years in prison.
• Class four felony – If convicted of a class four felony, you could be fined as much as $150,000 and spend up to 15 years in prison.
• Class three felony – If convicted of a class three felony, you could be fined as much as $150,000 and spend close to 25 years in prison.
• Class two felony – If convicted of a class two felony, you could be fined as much as $150,000 and spend up to 35 years in prison.

The penalties increase if you are accused of theft of property or services valued at more than $100,000. You will not be eligible for probation, release from confinement, or suspension of your sentence until the court has imposed its sentence or your sentence is commuted under ARS § 31-403. 

If you hope to protect yourself from these devastating penalties, make sure you have a highly experienced Goodyear armed robbery defense lawyer on your side.

Collateral Penalties

The collateral consequences could be even more devastating than the criminal penalties. Collateral penalties describe the way your life is affected by your conviction. 

Some of the most common collateral consequences our clients have reported include:

• Loss of federal student aid
• Loss of child visitation and custody rights
• Loss of firearm rights
• Having trouble finding housing
• Being passed over for job opportunities
• Having your professional license suspended or revoked
• Risk of deportation for foreign nationals

Theft Crime Defenses in Goodyear

You should be able to rely on your Goodyear theft crimes attorney to build the most powerful defense strategy possible based on the circumstances of your case. Our team with Suzuki Law Offices will need to carefully review the evidence against you and how the incident in question occurred to determine which defense may be most suitable. 

Some potential defense strategies that your Goodyear burglary defense lawyer could use to clear your name include:

• Lending or giving you the property that you allegedly stole
• Lack of intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property in question
• Mere presence, meaning you did not participate in the crime but were there at the scene of the offense
• Entrapment by law enforcement officials

If this is your first offense, the prosecutor may be more willing to offer you a plea agreement. If mitigating factors are present, such as mental health issues, substance abuse, or you are a victim of domestic violence, the state may be able to reduce your charges to a less serious offense. We will know more after we start working on your defense strategy.

Qualifying for Pretrial Diversion in Arizona 

Instead of trying to convince a jury of your innocence, it may be in your best interest to enroll in pretrial diversion. This is similar to a plea agreement, except you will not have to plead guilty or no contest. In exchange for completing the terms of pretrial diversion, the prosecutor will dismiss the charges against you.

As described under ARS § 9-500.22, specific criteria must be met before you can graduate from your pretrial diversion program. These stipulations can vary widely on a case-by-case basis. However, if you fail to fulfill these requirements, expect the district attorney to prosecute you for your original theft charges.

The Statute of Limitations May Be Running Out 

The district attorney does not have an unlimited amount of time to file theft charges against you. There is a statute of limitations that must be met. The extent of your charges will determine the statute of limitations deadline as follows:

• The statute of limitations for a misdemeanor theft crime is one year from the date the alleged crime was committed under ARS § 13-107
• The statute of limitations for a felony theft crime is seven years from the date the alleged crime was committed
• The statute of limitations for petty offenses is six months

In some cases, the statute of limitations will not start counting down until the suspect’s identity becomes known. This is more common in armed robbery theft offenses, though. 

Depending on the circumstances of your case, the statute of limitations countdown could temporarily pause, giving the district attorney additional time to file formal criminal charges.

Click to contact our Goodyear Criminal Defense Lawyers today

Connect With a Premier Theft Crimes Lawyer in Goodyear for Help Today

It is our job to help you understand the severity of the charges you are facing. The greater the value of the goods or services you are accused of stealing, the more extensive your penalties may be. With considerable jail or prison time and a criminal record looming, preparing the strongest defense strategy possible should be your top priority.

Fortunately, you do not need to rely on an underpaid and overworked public defender to handle your case when the stakes are this high. You can hire a private theft crimes attorney in Goodyear from Suzuki Law Offices to help you dodge a conviction. 

Fill out our online contact form or call our office to schedule your confidential case review as soon as today.

Call or text 602-682-5270 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form