Greenville Theft Lawyer

Put the Inside Knowledge of a Former Prosecutor to Work for You

Theft crimes in the state of South Carolina fall under the general heading of “larceny.” This covers the theft of all things, from goods to personal property and any other items of value. Larceny occurs when you take the property of someone else with the intention of depriving that person permanently of whatever has been stolen.

If you or someone you know has been arrested and charged with any type of larceny, reach out to a Greenville theft lawyer as soon as possible. You can rely on Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law for highly knowledgeable and competent legal help at this critical time. As a former prosecutor, Chris L. Jones knows his way around a courtroom, understands how the state will work against you, and can create legal strategies designed to counteract those tactics in seeking the best possible outcome for your case.

Types of Theft Offenses

Under state law, theft crimes are charged according to the value of the goods or services stolen. As a result, you may be facing a misdemeanor or felony charge based on the facts of your case. An experienced attorney in Greenville could help you better understand the nature of the theft charges you are facing.

Two main categories of larceny exist under the law:

  • Petit larceny
  • Grand larceny

Petit Larceny

Petit larceny is charged as a misdemeanor for the theft of goods or services valued at $2,000 or less. Petit larceny is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

larceny

Grand Larceny

Grand larceny is charged as a felony for the theft of property or services valued at more than $2,000 up to $9,999 and is punishable by up to five years in prison and fines ordered at the court’s discretion. Grand larceny involving property or services valued at $10,000 or more is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and fines decided by the court.

Shoplifting & Civil Lawsuits

The above crimes, petit and grand larceny, cover shoplifting as well which carries the additional penalties of a civil lawsuit brought by the shop owner for specific damages as outlined by law. Also, if you used a vehicle in the commission of the crime, the state can confiscate it through a civil process as well. If you have prior criminal convictions, you may be facing harsher penalties.

What Are the Penalties for a Shoplifting Conviction?

The penalties for a shoplifting conviction  can vary depending on the value of the item(s) stolen. For items worth at most $2,000 and is your first shoplifting conviction, you could be facing 0-30 days in prison and/or fines of over $2,000. If the item was worth between $2k – $10k, and is also your first shoplifting conviction, you could be facing 5 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000. If the item is worth more than $10k, you will be charged with a felony, and face up to 10 years in prison. You could even face even harsher penalties if you plan to sell the item or if you sold the item.

The other penalties that you could be facing include a civil lawsuit in which you will pay the cost of the item plus interest and could also lead to garnished wages. In some cases, you could also face the following consequences deportation, inability to gain a loan for college, inability to enlist in the military, and face tough times with getting a rental for an apartment or condo. A knowledgeable Greenville attorney could work to help you avoid the most severe consequences of a theft conviction.

Schedule a Consultation with a Greenville Theft Attorney

A theft crime conviction can negatively affect your chances in obtaining employment, renting an apartment, or obtaining a professional license. At Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law, we offer diligent and dedicated representation in search of keeping you out of jail and minimizing other consequences. Reach out to a Greenville theft lawyer today to get started on your case.

Don’t wait to seek counsel for your urgent legal matter. Call our team today at
(864) 625-2523 for a free consultation.

Why Trust Us to Pursue Your Case

We believe the best partnerships are those based on mutual trust. When you call us for your free consultation, you’ll speak directly to our lawyer. We believe it’s important from the get-go to foster direct communication with our clients to get a full understanding of their cases and what their needs are. Having all the details allows us to prepare accordingly as well as put a personal touch on all that we do.

Our Greenville lawyer is community and client-oriented. We strive to put your needs first in order to achieve results that work for you.

Personalized Service
Personalized Service
Former Municipal Judge
Former Municipal Judge
Deep Knowledge of the Legal System
Deep Knowledge of the Legal System
Former Solicitor in South Carolina
Former Solicitor in South Carolina
Highly Respected in the Legal Community
Highly Respected in the Legal Community
Nearly a Decade of Legal Experience
Nearly a Decade of Legal Experience
Recent Case Results
Effective Defense from a Former Prosecutor
Accident settled for policy limits of $1,000,000.00
Victim of DUI
Reduced to public disorderly conduct for time served
Attempted Murder and Arson 3rd Degree
Dismissed by prosecutor
Domestic Violence 3rd Degree
Dismissed at preliminary hearing
Domestic Violence 2nd Degree
Dismissed at preliminary hearing
Burglary 2nd Degree
Client Review

Professional and Communicative

Title: Professional and Communicative
N/A Christopher L. Jones, Attorney at Law 650 East Washington St.
Greenville
SC 29601
(864) 625-2523

Client Description: Chris did an amazing job with my case and constantly kept me reassured as I was terrified of the legal trouble I found myself in. He made it so I only had to go in a court room a couple of times, and was in constant communication with the prosecutors of both cases trying to work out the best deal. I believe he did when he was able to work out a plea deal that got one charge dismissed, the other lessens to a lower offense, and kept me out of jail after a bond violation. I appreciate what he has done for me and if I ever found myself in trouble again, I would hire him again.

Rating: ★★★★★ 5 / 5 stars