Under South Carolina law, theft includes a wide variety of offenses. Theft can range from petty shoplifting to grand larceny. The severity of the sentence is based on the amount that is alleged to have been taken.
South Carolina has very low thresholds for what is considered a felony in theft charges. Taking property or services valued at over $2,000 or more is considered grand larceny, which is charged as a felony. If the amount exceeds $10,000, there are even harsher penalties imposed. Even petit larceny can lead to a jail sentence, which prosecutors often seek in these cases.
As you can see, any type of theft is considered to be a serious charge. Not only are you facing possible jail time, but theft convictions are also considered to be a crime that bears on your integrity, so they will have serious effects on your life.
Theft is a crime of intent, and prosecutors must prove every element in order to win a conviction. They must show that you knew that you were taking property or services from someone else. As a result, you can defend the charges by claiming:
● You did not take the property in the first place
● You did not know that you were committing theft (for example, you thought the property was yours or there for the taking)
● The evidence of theft was seized illegally and should not be used against you
If you choose not to fight the charges, your attorney can negotiate a plea bargain that either helps you avoid jail or results in a lesser charge or sentence.
Call an Anderson County Theft Charges Attorney
When you are facing theft charges, the consequences can be severe. Therefore, you should not face them alone. Call an experienced criminal defense attorney at Bradley & Perkins at 864.401.8770 or message us online to schedule your free initial consultation.