Richmond Theft Attorney

Theft Charges in Virginia

Theft encompasses a large number of crimes in Virginia, all of which can be summed up as taking someone else's property without their consent. Theft crimes can include:

• Embezzlement
• Stealing someone's car, boat, or any other vehicle
• Shoplifting
• Robbery
• Receiving stolen goods

If you're accused of theft, you could be facing misdemeanor or felony charges as well as jail or prison time and thousands of dollars in fines. It is vital to your defense that you contact a theft defense lawyer in Richmond as soon as possible.

Petit Larceny vs Grand Larceny

Theft falls into two broad categories in Virginia: petit larceny and grand larceny. Petit larceny refers to any theft whose losses are below $500 whereas grand larceny generally refers to theft of property valued at more than $500.

Petit Larceny in VA

In Virginia, petit larceny crimes are tried as Class 1 misdemeanors. If convicted you could face:

• Up to 12 months in jail
• Up to $2,500 in fines

Grand Larceny in VA

Grand larceny refers to any crime where:

• The losses exceed $500
• More than $5 taken directly from another person’s possession
• The stolen item was a firearm

Grand larceny is charged as a felony and if convicted you could face penalties of 1-20 years in prison.

Do I Need a Theft Defense Lawyer?

If you're facing serious theft charges, speak with the Richmond theft defense attorney at the Law Office of Paul C. Galanides, P.C. Attorney Paul C. Galanides has spent 27 years serving as a public defender, a prosecutor, and as Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Virginia. When it comes to experience and results, Mr. Galanides is unmatched. His work has helped his clients walk free from all types of serious crimes and at all levels of the Virginia court system.