Theft Defense Attorney in Lawrence, Kansas

In Kansas, theft is a serious crime that attracts harsh punishments. Depending on the value of the item stolen, theft crimes may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. A defendant convicted of theft could face devastating penalties, including massive fines, lengthy imprisonment, a criminal record, and other life-changing consequences.

If you have been arrested and charged with a theft offense, retaining a highly-skilled Kansas criminal defense attorney is crucial to help build your defense strategy. For nearly 20 years, Chahine Legal LLC has been offering comprehensive legal guidance and reliable representation to individuals facing theft charges. As your attorney, I can help thoroughly investigate all of the surrounding facts of your case, strategize an effective defense to fight your charges, and attempt to keep your record as clean as possible.

My firm – Chahine Legal LLC – proudly serves clients across Lawrence, Kansas, and throughout Kansas and Missouri, including Olathe, Overland Park, and Lenexa.

Theft in Kansas

Under Kansas law, theft occurs when a person does any of the following acts with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property, use, or benefit of their property or services:

• Obtain or exercise unauthorized control over the property or services

• Obtain control over property or services using deception or threat, or

• Obtain control over stolen property or services while knowing that they were stolen

Some common examples of theft in Kansas include:

• Stealing

• Embezzling money from a company

• Shoplifting

• Tricking someone into wiring funds

• Splicing a neighbor's cable

• Accepting or purchasing stolen goods

• Obtaining property by false promises

• Misappropriating funds from an elderly parent's bank account

• Threatening to not return another person's possession without compensation

The burden of a theft allegation can be overwhelming and jeopardize your quality of life and future. Hiring a knowledgeable attorney is crucial to investigate every last detail of your case thoroughly and help defend your rights.

Possible Penalties for Theft Charges

In Kansas, theft crimes often carry devastating and potentially life-changing implications. Depending on the dollar value of the property or services stolen, a theft conviction could possibly result in any of the following penalties and consequences:

• Massive fines

• Prison sentences (months, years, or decades)

• A criminal record

• Probation

• Increased difficulty getting employment, accommodation, or public benefits

• Increased difficulty traveling to other countries

• Ineligibility for certain financial loans

• Loss of rights to vote during elections

An experienced lawyer can identify potential defenses to your theft accusations, craft a strong defense strategy to help fight your charges, and prevent the devastating consequences of a criminal conviction.

Common Theft Defenses

When facing theft accusations, your attorney can help fight your charges using any of the following defenses:

• Falsely accused of theft

• No intention to steal the property

• Acted with the property owner's consent

• Intoxication

• Borrowed the property and intends to return it to the rightful owner

• Property was taken under a good faith belief of having the right to take it

• Reasonable belief in the truth of threat (for extortion)

• Entrapment

A skilled Kansas criminal defense attorney can investigate all of the facts of your unique situation and determine the best defenses to maximize your prospects of a favorable outcome.

Work With a Skilled Criminal Defense Attorney

Allegations of theft could mean devastating, immediate, and life-long ramifications to your liberty, quality of life, personal reputation, and professional and future opportunities. Defending your theft charges without experienced guidance or representation could increase your risks of being convicted. When facing theft charges, it is imperative that you hire an experienced criminal defense attorney for proper guidance and to determine your best defenses.

At Chahine Legal LLC, I have the skills and resources to defend and represent clients in their theft cases. Using my in-depth knowledge of Kansas laws, I can help you navigate the state's criminal justice system and make sure you're given fair treatment in every phase of the legal proceedings. I will fight aggressively to defend your best interests, dispute the allegations against you with factual evidence, and help pursue the best available outcome for your unique situation.