Theft Crimes
Theft Crime Defense Attorney
Defending People Facing Theft Crime Charges in Hawaii
Types of Theft Crimes
Theft is defined as the unlawful act of taking or using another person’s property without consent. There is a range of theft crimes with varying penalties, depending upon the degree of the crime. These include:
Auto Theft/Carjacking
Auto theft is the criminal act of stealing or using another person’s motor vehicle (such as an automobile, truck, bus, motorcycle, trailer) without consent. Auto theft charges could also be brought against a person who uses threats or deception to steal another person’s motor vehicle. When a person uses a weapon, force or violence to steal a vehicle it is referred to as the separate offense of carjacking or vehicular hijacking.
Burglary
To be charged with burglary, one must intentionally enter or remain unlawfully in a building, with intent to commit a crime against a person or property. This is a class B felony carrying up to 10 years in prison. It is possible that an individual could be charged with burglary simply for trespassing or breaking and entering if the prosecution can find evidence or misconstrue the fact in order to show criminal intent. The state bears the burden of having to prove that there was intent to steal something or commit another felony crime.
Robbery/Armed Robbery
Robbery, in general, involves the use or threatened use of force against another person to commit theft or taking of property. This can become aggravated robbery when the use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon is used, or the victim is made to believe there is a deadly weapon involved. A person will be charged with armed robbery if, during the commission of the robbery, he or she is armed with a dangerous weapon.
Other:
There are a variety of other theft crimes that someone could be charge and convicted with in the state of Hawaii. Some of these include:
- Shoplifting
- Credit Card Theft
- Identity Theft
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Auto Theft or Vehicular Hijacking
- Receiving or Possession of Stolen Property
No matter what theft crime you have been charged with, you can be certain that the penalties imposed by state lawmakers are harsh, and it is necessary to take action to defend yourself of the charge.
When arrested and charged with a theft crime, your future is in jeopardy – some theft crimes are felonies and if convicted you could expect time spent in state prison as part of the penalty. Acting quickly and enlisting the assistance of an experience theft crime defense attorney is vital under such circumstances. Cary Virtue Law is dedicated and aggressive in their approach to criminal charges, and will tirelessly fight for the defense of your case. Get in touch with our office as soon after the arrest as possible, and prior to answering questions by law enforcement.
Arrested? Accused Of A Crime?
If you or someone you know needs a tough, aggressive, experienced lawyer, contact Maui criminal defense attorney Cary Virtue right away for your free and confidential initial consultation.