Defense Against Property Crimes
Have you been charged with a property crime in South Carolina? You’re likely facing criminal charges for theft, larceny, shoplifting, burglary, credit card theft, breaking and entering, possession of stolen goods, armed robbery, or vandalism. The penalties for these crimes range from 30 days in jail to life imprisonment. A good legal defense is paramount to your freedom. We have experience with all types of property crimes.
When you give us a call we help you understand your situation and show you the best course of action to obtain the most desirable result. We investigate the alleged property crime and look for ways to assert all available legal defenses to the crime. Every case is different and we need to evaluate the facts to determine what the state can and cannot prove in your property crime case. Whether it is a misdemeanor property crime carrying 30 days or a Burglary 1st degree where your life is at stake, we can defend you.
Some Information on Property Crimes:
Property crimes are offenses where another person’s property is stolen, damaged, or otherwise harmed.
- Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent
- Burglary
- Larceny and Receiving or Possession of Stolen Goods
- Arson
- Trespass After Notice
- Shoplifting
- Forgery and Financial Identity Crimes
- Possession of Stolen Vehicle
Property crimes cases in SC are different from other types of cases because:
- They are often based on the dollar value of the property that was stolen or damaged
- They will often involve restitution to replace or repair the damaged property
- They typically have an alleged victim
- Many property crimes can be enhanced based on prior offenses
Some SC property crimes and the potential penalties for them are categorized based on the dollar value of the alleged loss.
For example, larceny, shoplifting, or possession of stolen goods are split into three categories:
- Petit larceny, – less than $2000 (up to 30 days in jail)
- Grand larceny – greater than $2000 (up to five years in prison)
- Grand larceny – greater than $10,000 (up to ten years in prison)
If you are charged with any type of property crime, you need an experienced defense lawyer who knows South Carolina’s criminal courts and prosecutors.