Degrees of Theft in Hoover

In Hoover, the crime of larceny is synonymous with the crime of theft, which is the unauthorized taking of property from another with the intent to deprive that person of the property taken. There different degrees of theft in Hoover that result in different penalties.

If you or a loved one are facing a theft charge, contact a Hoover lawyer who could examine all the aspects of your case and work to craft the most robust defense possible. Do not hesitate to call an experienced attorney for a consultation today.

The degrees of theft in Hoover are:

• Fourth-Degree Theft – occurs when the value of the property taken is less than $500. This is considered a misdemeanor and carries a punishment of up to one year in jail.
• Third Degree Theft – occurs when the value of the property taken is greater than $500 but less than $1,500, or the property taken is a credit or debit card. Either way, a third-degree theft is a Class D felony, and while first-time offenders cannot get prison time, they will be considered a felon and lose certain civil rights.
• Second Degree Theft – When the value of the property taken is greater than $1,500 but less than $2,500, or if the property taken was a firearm, controlled substance, or livestock, it is considered a second-degree theft. This is a Class C felony punishable by one to ten years in prison.
• First Degree Theft – In Hoover, theft of property valued at more than $2,500 is considered first-degree theft, as is theft of a car of any value. First-degree theft is a Class B felony, and potential punishments range from two to 20 years in prison.
• Multiple Offenders – If a person has a previous theft conviction for first or second-degree theft, and is charged with any new theft of property valued between $250 and $2,500, the new theft will automatically be upgraded to a second-degree theft.

In addition to criminal penalties a person charged with larceny in Hoover may face, Alabama law allows for civil liability to apply in certain theft cases. For example, court-mandated civil restitution for shoplifting thefts may include:

• Reimbursing the store owner for the full value of the property taken
• Reimbursing the store owner additional money, up to $2,000, for the expenses they incurred trying to get the property back
• Reimbursing up to $1,000 of the store owner’s attorney fees

In Hoover, if the person held an honest belief that they had a valid claim to the property that they took, then a qualified attorney may be able to leverage that as a defense against a charge of theft. Other potential defenses against such charges may apply depending on the circumstances of the case, but ultimately the decision of whether to accept them with fall to the judge and jury in a criminal court.

If you were charged with any of the degrees of theft in Hoover, it may be of paramount importance that you hire an experienced attorney to help you with your case. Only an accomplished Hoover could know how to best assess the circumstances of your arrest and charges and work to turn those facts into a strong legal defense.