St. Charles Theft Crimes Attorney

Unyielding Representation to Protect Your Future

Theft is an umbrella term referring to any offense that involves taking another's property without their express permission. There are varying levels of theft crimes, all of which can carry serious penalties and leave you with a permanent criminal record. Our St. Charles theft crime attorneys at Brockmeyer Law Offices have 65 years of combined experience and have represented clients against all types of theft-related offenses. We are prepared to put our experience to work for you.

What Is Considered Theft in Missouri?

Though stealing something from a store might be the first crime that comes to mind when you think of theft, it doesn't only involve shoplifting. Theft can also occur if you steal someone’s identity or fail to pay for a service.

Under MO Rev Stat §570.030, a person commits a theft crime when they take services or property from another with the intent of doing so through coercion or deceit. Theft crimes range in severity and the penalties depend on the value of the property that was taken.

What Are the Classifications of Theft?

Theft crimes are divided into the following classes:

• Class A misdemeanor theft: When the stolen property is valued at less than $500.
• Class B felony theft: When the stolen property is valued at $25,000 or more.
• Class C felony theft: When the stolen property is valued between $500 and $25,000 or is a certain type of item (including but not limited to motor vehicles, firearms, credit cards, and livestock)

Burglary & Robbery in Missouri

Burglary and robbery are other serious theft crimes. Robbery is a class B felony wherein a person forcibly steals items from another, regardless of the value of items stolen.

Burglary is a crime committed by entering a building with the intent to steal from the occupant and is a class C felony (unless the offender is armed or threatens injury, in which case it is a Class B felony).

What Are The Penalties for Robbery in Missouri?

There are two elements of robbery: first-degree and second-degree robbery.

First-Degree Robbery

First-degree robbery entails the stealing of property and simultaneously committing any of the following:

• Threatening to harm another person
• Harming another person
• Possession of a deadly weapon
• Threatening the use of a deadly weapon
• The use of a deadly weapon
• Stealing a controlled substance from a pharmacy

Second-Degree Robbery

Second-degree robbery entails causing physical injury to another person while forcibly stealing property.

The penalties for robbery will depend on:

• The extent of the crime
• Those affected
• The damage done
• And more

However, penalties for robbery may include:

• Heavy fines
• Jail time of up to 30 years for first-degree robbery and up to 15 years for second-degree robbery

What Are The Penalties for Burglary in Missouri?

Similarly to robbery, burglary occurs in the first and second-degrees.

First-Degree Burglary

First-degree - knowingly entering or remaining on a property with the intent of committing an offense.

In addition to these things, the following may occur:

• A person who is not associated with the crime is present
• A person who is associated with the crime is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon
• A person who is associated with the crime causes or threatens physical injury upon anyone who is not associated with the crime

The penalties for first-degree burglary include up to 15 years in prison for a Class B Felony.

Second-Degree Burglary

Second-degree - knowingly entering or remaining on a property with the intent of committing a crime.

The penalties for second-degree burglary may include up to 7 years in prison for a Class D Felony.

Consult Our St. Charles Theft Crime Attorneys Today

Being arrested for a theft crime can be overwhelming and you may not know what to do next. Turn to our experienced and award-winning St. Charles theft attorneys at Brockmeyer Law Offices for top-notch representation. We are committed to protecting your rights and your future aggressively.

Several reasons why you should hire our St. Charles theft lawyer include:

• We are experienced in dealing with various types of criminal cases, including theft crimes, and can provide advice on how to best proceed
• We can help you understand the legal process and your rights as a defendant
• We will work to get you the best possible outcome from your case, such as reduced charges or an acquittal
• If necessary, we may be able to negotiate for alternative punishments such as community service instead of incarceration
• Having our theft lawyers by your side during court proceedings can give you peace of mind