If you’re charged with any type of theft-related crime, even one that doesn’t appear serious on the surface, it’s critical that you take the appropriate steps to protect your legal rights. Neglecting to do so puts your future at risk.
Here are a few of the many theft defense strategies to consider:
- Claim of ownership: With this, you argue that you believed the property you took belonged to you, not someone else. While it sounds like a straightforward defense strategy, you must be able to prove why you thought the property was yours.
- You didn’t actually commit a crime: For example, shoplifting is one of the most common forms of theft that can result in criminal charges. However, if you didn’t actually commit a crime, you should be in trouble with the law. For example, you can’t be arrested for shoplifting if you didn’t take the item out of the store. You can always argue that you were going to pay for it.
- Intoxication: This isn’t always the best defense strategy, but if you were under the influence at the time of your arrest, it’s something to consider. For instance, your use of alcohol may have led you to take something that isn’t yours.
The best theft defense strategy for one person may not do anything for the next person. Fortunately, with so many options to consider, you should be able to find one that suits you well.
With the right theft defense strategy in place, you can protect your legal rights with hopes of putting this chapter of your life in the past.