An Experienced Defense In Robbery, Theft And Larceny Cases

If you have been arrested for robbery, theft or larceny, you may be facing jail time and other serious penalties. You need proven criminal defense representation to protect your rights and safeguard your future.

At Rogers Sevastianos & Bante LLP, we have successfully defended thousands of clients in St. Louis. Our attorneys have more than 100 years of combined experience with a track record of winning trials and negotiating positive outcomes on behalf of our clients.

Understanding Theft Charges

Theft charges, known as property offenses, should be taken seriously. In addition to possible prison time and other penalties, a conviction could affect your ability to get a job and will significantly increase penalties if you face charges in the future. Under state law, in certain circumstances, a person with two theft-related convictions may be charged with a felony for a subsequent offense. Learn more about the differences between the charges below:

Theft

Theft can be defined as intentionally and unlawfully taking the property of another. In most cases, theft is a felony when the value of the property taken is over $500. However, a violent theft crime may be charged as a felony even when the value of the property is less than $500.

Robbery

Robbery can be defined as taking the property of another against that person’s will by violence or by intimidating or putting the property owner in fear of violence to his or her person. To prove that a robbery occurred, the prosecution must show two elements: that a theft has occurred, and that it was accomplished using threat or force.

State law recognizes varying degrees of robbery. Degree is determined by the amount of threat of force displayed in the robbery. An example of first-degree robbery would be using a gun to hold up a convenience store.

The threat of force is an important element of robbery. A person can be charged with first-degree robbery even when a fake weapon was used, as long as the person being robbed believed it was real.

Larceny

Larceny can be described as common theft – taking someone else’s property without the use of force. To obtain a conviction for larceny, the prosecution must prove the unlawful taking and carrying away of another person’s property without the consent of the property owner and with the intention of permanently keeping it.

Civil Penalties For Theft Crimes

Theft crimes in Missouri may lead to civil penalties in addition to criminal penalties. For example, a person convicted of stealing merchandise from a store may be found liable in a civil suit for:

• The full retail value of the merchandise taken
• Incidental costs to the store owner
• Penalty payable to the store owner
• Court costs and reasonable attorney fees

Defense Against Robbery, Theft And Larceny Charges

Charges of robbery, theft or larceny should not be taken lightly. Our criminal defense lawyers at Rogers Sevastianos & Bante LLP can provide the high-quality representation you need at this critical time. We have achieved positive results in hundreds of jury trials.

Our criminal defense team is known for its extensive legal knowledge and thorough preparation of cases. Because of our success rate and reputation, we can negotiate effectively out of court to come to the best terms for our clients. If your case goes to trial, you can rely on us to provide an aggressive, well-prepared criminal defense. Contact us today for your free consultation or call (314) 354-8484 to get started.