Skilled Theft Attorneys in Arizona

According to data provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR), larceny-theft comprised more than 71 percent of all property crimes nationwide in 2017. Such a large percentage equates to more than 5.5 million larceny-theft crimes, all non-violent. Although theft crimes do not involve violence, the consequences of facing a misdemeanor or felony crime in Arizona can be serious.

At Chuck Franklin Law, our dedicated and experienced Arizona criminal defense attorneys have been representing the constitutional rights of accused clients since 1987. To find out how Chuck Franklin Law can help you, consider calling Chuck directly today at (480) 545-0700.

Theft Laws in Arizona – Definitions and Penalties

Under Arizona law, theft charges range from minor misdemeanors to severe felonies that carry a risk of decades in jail. To better understand theft in Arizona, it is important to know the difference between misdemeanor theft crimes and felony theft crimes.

Under Arizona Statute Section 13-1802, theft, also known as larceny, is the unlawful control of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive the person of the property. The term property can be physical or intellectual. The most common types of theft crimes include physical property, such as, among others, pickpocketing, shoplifting, buying, or receiving stolen property, and motor vehicle theft. Whether a theft crime is considered a misdemeanor or felony in Arizona depends on the value of the property at issue, among other factors.

Misdemeanor Theft

A person faces a class 1 misdemeanor theft charge in Arizona if the value of the property at issue is less than $1,000. The threshold between misdemeanor theft and felony theft is rather low. Per Arizona Statute Section 13-707(A)(1), a conviction of a class 1 misdemeanor carries a potential maximum jail sentence of six months. A class 1 misdemeanor is the most severe of misdemeanor crimes in Arizona.

Felony Theft

A theft crime involving property with a value of more than $1,000 and certain property worth less than $1,000 (property taken directly from a person, firearms, or an animal taken for animal fighting) falls under the felony umbrella. Felony theft is categorized as follows in order of least severe to most severe:

  • Class 6 Felony – Theft of property valued at $1,000 or more, but less than $2,000
  • Class 5 Felony – Theft of property valued at $2,000 or more, but less than $3,000
  • Class 4 Felony – Theft of property valued at $3,000 or more, but less than $4,000
  • Class 3 Felony – Theft of property valued at $4,000 or more, but less than $25,000
  • Class 2 Felony – Theft of property valued at $25,000 or more

Per Arizona Statute Section 13-702(D), the following penalties apply to convictions for the above-listed felony theft crimes for first-time offenders (the range in jail time takes into consideration mitigating factors that reduce a jail sentence, and aggravating factors that increase a jail sentence):

  • Class 6 Felony – From .33 years (4 months) to 2 years in jail
  • Class 5 Felony – From .5 years (6 months) to 2.5 years in jail
  • Class 4 Felony – From 1 year to 3.75 years in jail
  • Class 3 Felony – From 2 years to 8.75 years in jail
  • Class 2 Felony – From 3 years to 12.5 years in jail

Per Arizona Statute Section 13-703, repeat offenders may receive an enhanced jail sentence for a subsequent theft conviction. As such, if you are facing misdemeanor or felony theft charges, and you have a criminal record, consider reaching out to Chuck Franklin Law today to discuss the best strategy for fighting your current criminal charges. 

Auto Theft

An additional category of theft crimes in Arizona is auto theft. Under Arizona Statute Section 13-1814, a person who unlawfully takes a vehicle (which is defined as any means of transportation), and either temporarily or permanently deprives the owner of the vehicle, without lawful authority, may face an auto theft conviction. Under Arizona law, auto theft – regardless of the vehicle’s value – is a class 3 felony, carrying potential jail time from 2 years to 8.75 years in jail.

Contact Chuck Franklin Today 

If you face theft charges – no matter how minor or serious – you deserve strong legal representation to face tough prosecutors. Chuck Franklin Law has served clients in Arizona for more than thirty-five years. To learn how our team of skilled advocates can help you with your criminal matter, consider contacting Chuck Franklin Law today by calling (480) 545-0700.