3 defenses against theft crimes

 Posted on June 26, 2017 in Criminal Defense

Wisconsin residents who charged with theft crimes face the threat of spending quite a bit of time in prison or jail if they are convicted. The severity of the punishments will increase dramatically based on the value of the property that was allegedly stolen. However, those accused of theft or larceny will have the ability to defend themselves in court.

Here are three common defenses used in theft crime trials:

-- You are the owner of the property: Perhaps you didn't steal the property at all, and you're the owner. If this is the case for you, then all you have to do is prove that you are the owner of the property and/or you have a valid claim to the property.

-- You were drunk: It might seem like a strange defense, but when people are intoxicated, they are not in their right minds, and they might confuse someone else's property with their own. For example, maybe you picked up someone else's cellphone or jacket at a bar because you were intoxicated and confused it with your own.

-- You returned the property: Returning property after stealing it will not make you innocent of the crime of theft; however, if you returned it, it could help diminish the severity of your punishments. Furthermore, having returned the property could be used as proof that you didn't steal the item but were merely borrowing it.

Wisconsin residents facing theft charges in criminal court may benefit from speaking with an experienced criminal defense attorney. Your attorney can review your case to determine the most appropriate way to try and limit your chances of conviction and/or diminish the severity of your punishments.