Larceny is generally known to be a criminal offense that involves the unlawful taking or theft of another person’s or business entity’s personal property. The state of South Carolina shows little mercy when it comes to these offenses, and they will likely convict you with serious jail time and fines. Ultimately, you will receive a permanent criminal record, which can make it drastically harder to gain employment, secure certain loans, rent certain places to live, and more. Read on to discover the consequences that are associated with a larceny offense and how a seasoned Chesterfield County theft lawyer at The Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. can potentially defend against this charge.
What are the consequences of larceny in the state of South Carolina?
Put simply, the penalties you will receive for your larceny defense will largely depend on the monetary value of the stolen property. Notably, the state of South Carolina recognizes two types of larceny. Descriptions of the two read as follows:
- Petit larceny:
- If the value of the stolen property was at most $2,000.
- A misdemeanor which entails incarceration for up to 30 days and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Grand larceny:
- If the value of the stolen property is anywhere between $2,000 to $10,000.
- A Class F felony which entails incarceration for up to five years and a potential fine.
Additionally with grand larceny, if the stolen property was valued at more than $10,000, then you will face a heightened fine and incarceration sentence of up to 10 years.
What should I do if I am charged with a crime involving theft in South Carolina?
Unfortunately, there are times when an innocent person will be wrongfully accused of larceny. If this is your case, you cannot stand idly by. Instead, you must build a solid legal defense to shield you from the consequences of a larceny charge. Depending on the circumstances of your case, the following is a list of possibly relevant defenses:
- You did not realize that you were allegedly stealing property.
- You had a reason to believe that you were entitled to the allegedly stolen property.
- You were a victim of a case of mistaken identity.
- You had an intention to pay for the allegedly stolen property.
With all this being said, you must take immediate action and hire a talented Chesterfield criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Our firm will work hard to clear up this misunderstanding.
CONTACT OUR EXPERIENCED SOUTH CAROLINA FIRM
For competent and trustworthy legal counsel involving criminal law, personal injury law, divorce & separation, and family law, contact The Cockrell Law Firm, P.C. today to schedule your free initial consultation.
