1. Theft Attorney Can Protect Your Innocence
People make mistakes, but regardless of even the best intentions, it is often in your best interest to have
professional legal aid if you do find yourself in some trouble. A theft attorney can help you get dismissed
of a false accusation or assist you with lowering a stiff sentence if you are found guilty of a crime.
theft defense attorneys los angeles
If you've never been convicted of a crime before and have an overall good reputation and record in your
community, there is a reasonable chance of fighting a false accusation if you have the aid of a theft
attorney. It isn't all too uncommon for an innocent person to place something in their shopping cart and
absently forget to pay for it, or even place something in their personal bag in a dressing room without
thinking. If you did one of these things absentmindedly, it is very difficult to impossible to prove without
professional representation. You are at the mercy of the cameras or even simply a security guard's
testimony. A lawyer can help you build a credible story and potentially keep your record spotless.
Another mistake people may find themselves in is by trusting a friend or con artist and ending up a
victim of their immoral schemes. If someone stashes something they stole in your bag, on your person,
or even in your home, you can be made responsible for the crime. If you sell something for another
person that was unbeknown to you stolen goods, you are also liable for the charges. In these situations,
it can be very difficult to prove your innocence without setting up the proper background story and
gathering sufficient evidence. A theft attorney can help you build a solid case to present to a judge or
jury. Many people don't know that unintentionally holding on to someone else's property can also be
considered a crime. A common example is neglecting to return something to an ex-lover. You may
simply have just been trying to avoid a confrontation by holding onto their belongings or you may even
have forgotten who had bought the item in the first place. A scorned lover may not be as understanding;
however, and can without warning bring you to court over the matter. Again, it is situations like these
that require the jury to be informed of the history of the defendant as well as the circumstances leading
up to the event. Is it expensive to hire a theft attorney? That really depends on what you value. If you
don't mind spending a potential six months in prison, having a police record, up to three years of
probation, and hundreds if not thousands of dollars in court fees and penalties, then you may forgo the
lawyer. However, the initial cost you pay for professional legal aid will likely greatly outweigh the hassle
that comes with being convicted of a crime or even a misdemeanor. A police record, even if it seems
harmless, can haunt you for the rest of your life.