Goodyear Grand Theft Defense Lawyer

When facing grand theft charges, partnering with an experienced Goodyear theft crimes lawyer is the best way to increase your potential for a favorable case outcome.

Suzuki Law Offices recently won the Avvo clients’ choice award, and our founding attorney, Richard Suzuki, has been recognized as an “Elite Lawyer” for criminal defense. 

Reach out to a Goodyear grand theft defense lawyer from our firm, who will use our award-winning practices to protect your rights, provide guidance and support, and help you move on with your life.

Secure Representation from a Grand Theft Defense Lawyer in Goodyear

Theft charges bring significant penalties. Prison time, substantial fines, and other life-affecting consequences are among them, and keeping those penalties to a minimum is an important answer to the question of why you should hire a Goodyear criminal defense lawyer.

An experienced attorney will protect your rights from the start of your case to its resolution. You have the right to secure an attorney after your arrest, and you also have the right to remain silent. Avail yourself of those rights immediately, and provide no information other than your name upon questioning from law enforcement.

Your attorney will speak for you or guide your responses during interviews with law enforcement and will also provide personal support and loyalty. During such a challenging time, you need to know you have someone in your corner. Your lawyer will also investigate your alleged crime, create a plan for your defense, and gather evidence to support that defense.

Grand Theft Explained

Arizona statutes cover different types of theft crimes. Though the term “grand theft” is not actually found in those statutes, it is understood to refer to theft crimes where the value of the property stolen exceeds $950. Theft charges increase in severity as the value of the property in question does, as established in the Arizona Revised Statutes (RS) 13-802 Theft. 

This statute defines specific actions characterizing theft. Charges apply when a person “knowingly” and “without lawful authority:”

• Takes control of someone else’s property with the purpose of depriving that person of the property
• Takes control of property or services belonging to another after the other person entrusted it to the alleged offender for a particular time or use
• Uses fraudulent methods to secure someone else’s services or property
• Takes control of lost property without making a reasonable effort to find the property’s owner
• Takes control of property though they know, or should know, the property was stolen
• Uses services available in exchange for compensation but does not provide the required compensation 
• Takes control of a vulnerable adult’s property when acting in a position of trust for that person, with the purpose of depriving that vulnerable adult of their property

The specific language of the law matters. A knowledgeable Goodyear grand theft defense attorney understands the implications the theft statute’s legal terminology and definitions have on your case. Your lawyer will challenge any improper interpretations and applications of the law in defending you.

Penalties for Grand Theft

Grand theft is a felony, and charges range from the class 2 to the class 6 level, with level 2 representing the most serious theft crimes. According to Arizona’s theft law, the class of felony corresponds to the value of the property taken. Prison sentencing for first-time offenders follows the schedule established in RS 13-703:

• Class 2: $25,000 or more; three to 12.5 years 
• Class 3: More than $4,000 but less than $25,000; two to 8.75 years 
• Class 4: More than $3,000 but less than $4,000; one to 3.75 years
• Class 5: More than $2,000 but less than $3,000; six months to 2.5 years
• Class 6: More than $1,000 but less than $2,000; four months to 2 years

Repeat offenders, or those whose alleged crimes involve aggravating factors, can see increased penalties. Your Grand theft defense attorney in Goodyear will challenge aggravating factors the prosecution presents and offer mitigating factors to reduce your charges and penalties. Mitigating factors work in your favor–they can include your clean criminal record, young age, or demonstration of true remorse.

Additional Fallout

Judges sometimes issue fines as part of a felony sentence. Then, there are the additional repercussions of relationships damaged by separation while you are incarcerated, job loss, limited future employment options, and the psychological trauma that often follows time in prison. You may also have difficulty finding a landlord willing to rent to a person with grand theft on their record.

Ways to Defend Against Theft Charges

Suzuki Law Offices is an experienced team that includes several former prosecutors. We have an insider’s perspective on how prosecuting teams handle theft cases, can anticipate their moves, and can tell if they are reaching to apply charges to your situation that are not truly warranted within the scope of the law. If they are, we will challenge them to protect your rights.

When analyzing your case, we will first look to see if there are grounds for charge dismissal. For example, law enforcement may have violated your rights during your arrest or booking. If a dismissal is not possible, we will get to work building a defense.

Your grand theft defense lawyer in Goodyear will customize a strategy for your case, but it may rest on one of these possible foundations:

• You did not knowingly take someone’s property. Theft charges require the offender’s knowledge of their act, and you may have taken something by accident.
• You were only borrowing the property and planned to return it. Theft charges state the offender must have taken the property to deprive the owner of it.
• You are the actual property owner. If ownership of an item is under dispute, but you can prove you are the true owner, there is no crime.

Plea Bargaining

Sometimes, it is in your best interests to fight your charges through a trial. Other times, your attorney may negotiate terms of a plea deal with the prosecution to lessen your charges and consequences. 

Our team wants what is best for you and will give trustworthy guidance when you ask if you should accept a plea bargain.

Click to contact our Goodyear Theft Crimes Lawyers today

Suzuki Law Offices Is Your Criminal Defense Lawyer in Goodyear

Suzuki Law Offices is your team, and we are ready to fight for you. Call or send a message at any time, any day of the week. We will give you the powerful, reliable representation you need, developing a strategic defense to get you the most favorable case results possible.

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