Theft is a serious offense that can lead to severe penalties, including jail time and hefty fines. Under state law, theft encompasses a range of property crimes such as petit larceny, grand larceny, and shoplifting.
If you were charged with theft, a Greenwood theft lawyer could analyze your case and fight on your behalf in court. Contact Adams & Bischoff today to connect with a knowledgeable defense attorney who could build a strong defense to protect your rights.
Theft Crimes Include Various Types of Larceny
S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-30 defines crimes involving theft as larceny. The severity of an offense depends on factors such as the nature of the theft and the value of the property stolen. A Greenwood lawyer could help a client accused of theft understand the different types of larceny offenses defined under state law.
Larceny refers to the unlawful taking of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of possession. Unlike the crime of robbery, larceny and theft do not involve taking another’s property by force.
If stolen goods have a value of $2,000 or less, the crime is considered petit larceny. Petit larceny is a misdemeanor offense that imposes penalties of up to 30 days in jail and a penalty of up to $1,000 upon conviction.
If the stolen property is valued at over $2,000, the crime is considered grand larceny, a felony offense. Penalties for grand larceny vary depending on the value of the stolen property.
When the value of stolen property ranges from over $2,000 to $10,000, a felony grand larceny conviction can impose criminal penalties such as jail time of up to five years. When the value exceeds $10,000, the court can impose a sentence of up to ten years in jail. State law does not mandate specific financial penalties for grand larceny, but gives the court discretion to impose monetary fines.
Obtaining Property Through Fraud
A Greenwood theft attorney could help explain the mandatory penalties for obtaining real or personal property through false pretenses with the intent to cheat and defraud the owner. If such property is valued at $10,000 or more, the crime is considered a felony and punishable by up to ten years in prison and a $500 penalty.
If the property is valued over $2,000 but less than $10,000, the crime is a felony carrying penalties up to five years of imprisonment and a fine set by the court. Stealing property valued at $2,000 or less is labeled a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and up to a $1,000 fine.
South Carolina also classifies crimes involving a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention as larceny. These offenses generally include crimes involving the taking of property held in trust by a fiduciary relationship. If the breach of trust involves property worth $2,000 or less, the crime is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and 30 days in jail.
The crime is considered a felony if the breach of trust involves property over $2,000 and below $10,000, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a discretionary fine set by the court. A breach of trust of $10,000 or more is a felony punishable by up to ten years in jail and a fine set at the court’s discretion.
Illegal Shoplifting and Retail Theft
Under S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-110, a person is guilty of shoplifting if they take goods from a retail mercantile establishment with the intent to deprive the merchant of possession. Shoplifting also includes altering a retail price label with the intent to purchase the item at a lower cost. Depending on the value of the stolen goods, shoplifting is a misdemeanor or felony offense.
The state also outlaws retail theft, a crime similar to shoplifting. Retail theft refers to offenses in which a person steals property from a retail establishment over an extended period or receives property they know to be stolen. Discussing your case with a Greenwood lawyer could help in determining what specific charges and penalties you can expect to face when accused of theft.
Contact a Greenwood Lawyer Today About Crimes Involving Theft
Schedule a consultation with a Greenwood theft lawyer at one of our offices in Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and North Charleston if you are facing charges alleging theft. Offenses involving theft are serious crimes that can carry extensive jail time. An attorney could help protect your legal rights and formulate the best defense based on your case, so contact Adams & Bischoff today.
