A charge of felony theft needs to be taken seriously. This means that you are not just accused of stealing, but you are accused of stealing something quite valuable. If you do not fight back against these charges, you could end up paying hefty fines and facing long prison sentences. You should talk to a Des Moines theft lawyer and start working on your defense.
Get Help TodayNot every theft charge is a felony charge. To get charged with felony theft, you must be accused of stealing a certain amount. There are two types of felony theft charges in Iowa. You can be charged with second-degree theft and a Class D felony for stealing between $1,000 and $10,000 or you can be charged with first-degree theft and a Class C felony for stealing something worth more than $10,000. You can also be charged with a Class C felony for stealing property from a site that was abandoned due to a disaster, like a fire or tornado.
A conviction for either felony theft charge will result in some severe penalties. General guidelines are:
There are also other elements of your case that could affect your punishments. For example, in Iowa, committing theft against older adults is punished even more severely. If you are accused of stealing from someone who is 60 years of age or older, your offense could be bumped up. So a misdemeanor could actually turn into a felony, and a Class D felony can become a Class C felony.
You could also end up facing harsher penalties due to your criminal record. If you have already been convicted of two felonies in the past, your jail sentence has to last at least three years. So the stakes are even higher if you have been convicted of a crime before.
Your defense lawyer will take a look at the unique circumstances of your case and decide on the best defensive strategy. They will also protect your civil rights, getting evidence that was improperly obtained thrown out and speaking on your behalf to prevent you from incriminating yourself. If things do not go your way at trial, a lawyer can also help you negotiate a plea bargain and a lesser sentence.
So if you are facing a serious charge like felony theft, know that you do not have to face it alone. Contact Herting Law, PLLC and schedule a consultation with our team. We can tell you more about what a seasoned defense attorney can do for you.
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