Theft Crimes

Defense Attorney for Theft Crimes in Las Vegas

Theft is usually defined as the unlawful taking of another person’s property without their consent and with the intent of deprive the person of the property permanently. Theft is listed along with property crimes such as arson and vandalism. There are a number of crimes that involve theft in the Nevada code that deal with theft from the person or from things like a vehicle. A sample of the theft crimes include:

• Shoplifting
• Petit Larceny
• Pick-pocketing
• Grand Larceny
• Grand Larceny Auto
• Auto Burglary
• Robbery
• Fraud
• Identity Theft
• Car Jacking
• Embezzlement

Most of the theft crimes involve petit larceny and grand larceny. You need a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney to help you with you your theft cases. Depending on the value of the items stolen, the theft could be a misdemeanor or a felony. The range of punishment can increase if a weapon was involved or if a person was injured during the theft. Make sure you retain a licensed Las Vegas theft attorney to defend you against criminal charges.

Las Vegas Theft Attorney

Joel Mann of the Law Office of Joel M. Mann works with his clients to make sure their case is resolved with the minimum amount of trouble and stress. If you or you know is accused of theft in the Las Vegas area, contact our office at (702) 558-7000 for a free consultation.

Nevada Theft Crimes Information Center

• What is Nevada’s definition of petit larceny?
• What is Nevada’s definition of burglary?
• What is Nevada’s definition of robbery?
• What is Nevada’s definition pick-pocketing?
• What are some penalties for theft in Nevada?
• What are some defenses to theft crimes?

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What is Nevada’s definition of petit larceny?

Petit Larceny or petty theft is defined as someone intentionally takes away the property of another valued under $250 without his or her consent.

A common example of petit larceny is shoplifting small items such as key chains, snack foods, watches and other portable items worth below $250.

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What is Nevada’s definition of burglary?

Under NRS 205.060 burglary is defined as entry into a home, business, structure, vehicle, plane or railcar with the intent to commit any of the following crimes:

• Larceny or Grand Larceny
• Assault or Battery
• Any felony
• Get property or money by false pretenses

It is important to note that there does not need to be any “breaking and entering” in order to be accused of burglary. As long as you go into any of the listed buildings or structures and intend to take something it can be considered burglary.

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What is Nevada’s definition of robbery?

Under NRS 200.380, the legal definition of robbery is the unlawful taking of personal property from the person of another or in the person’s presence, against his or her will by means of force or violence to his or her person or property.

An example of a robbery is when a person is mugged by gun point. Note that the use of a weapon turns robbery into aggravated robbery and stiffer penalties apply. If the robber just uses intimidation, threats or force without a weapon to get you to give up your property then that is simple robbery.

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What is Nevada’s definition of pick-pocketing?

At first glance you would think that mugging, pick-pocketing and robbery are all the same, but there is a slight but important distinction.

Under Nevada law, larceny from a person means a person who under circumstances not amounting to robbery, with the intent to steal or appropriate to his or her own use, takes property from the person of another without the other person’s consent.

This definition means that the property must be literally on the person’s body. It is not a pick pocket if the person steals something from your bag across the room.

Also the next element that distinguishes robbery from pick-pocketing is generally the person who is getting their pocket picked does not know about the theft until after the fact. There is no threat or intimidation used to steal the property from the person.

With a mugging, it is usually a type of robbery where a weapon is used to intimidate the person into giving up their property against their will.

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What are some penalties for theft in Nevada?

Depending on whether the theft is a misdemeanor or a felony, there is a wide range of punishments for theft.

For misdemeanors such as petit theft, the punishment range would be:

• A fine up to $1000 and or 6 months in jail
• Possible additional restitution for the stolen items

For felony theft such as burglary and robbery could either fall into the Category B felony range or the Category C felony range.

• 1-5 years
• A possible fine of $10,000
• Restitution for the items stolen

It depends on your previous criminal history, the mitigating factors, the aggravating factors in your case and your willingness to fight the charges the result of your case. You need to get a lawyer that will fight to dismiss the charges and clear your name.

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What are some defenses to theft crimes?

There are a number of defenses to theft crimes. Some of the common ones are:

• Lack of intent
  • If the defense can show that you did not intend to take the property or you did not intend to keep the property then no theft occurred.
• There was no taking
  • It is possible the item not removed from the area at all. If the defense can show that you did not take the item then you did not commit a theft.
• The property was given to you or it was your property
  • If the defense has proof or evidence that shows the property rightfully belonged to you or you have authorization to use the property then a theft did not occur.

Joel Mann will aggressively fight to get your charges completely dismissed. He sees the client attorney relationship as a partnership so together you will work out the best course of action.

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Law Office of Joel M. Mann | Las Vegas Theft Crimes Defense Attorney

If you or someone you know is charged with theft then it is important to get a lawyer that will fight for your rights. At the Law Office of Joel M. Mann, we are committed to helping you with your theft case. Joel Mann will go to court as many times as necessary without you to make sure fighting your theft case disrupts your daily life as little as possible. Contact Joel Mann at the Law Office of Joel M. Mann at (702) 474-6266 for a free consultation on how he can help you resolve your theft case.