Oklahoma witnesses several theft cases every year. While some of them are reported, many of them go unreported. However, it is pertinent to mention that many individuals face false larceny allegations. These individuals have to go through a lot of trouble, and it is impossible to prove innocence without the help of a good lawyer.
Therefore, if you have a brilliant Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer by your side, it can become a lot easier for you to prove your innocence and get acquitted without facing any penalties.
Different types of larceny charges in Oklahoma
Larceny can have many forms. However, depending on the value of the stolen asset or property, it can belong to one of the following two categories.
Petit larceny
A petit larceny is a theft offense of the lowest level. If a larceny involves the theft of an asset or property of less than $1000 value, it is regarded as a petit larceny. Petit larceny is considered a misdemeanor and requires the accused to pay a fine and serve a specified time in jail.
Grand larceny
Grand larceny occurs when the value of a stolen asset or property is more than $1000. Unlike petit larceny, grand larceny is considered a felony and carries harsher consequences. The convict may have to serve several years in jail and pay a huge fine.
Penalties for larcenies in Oklahoma
The amount of penalty and jail time one may have to face for larceny depends upon the category of the larceny. Here are the details of the fine and jail time a person could face in case of petit and grand larceny.
- In the case of petit larceny, the convict may face a penalty of up to $1000 and a maximum jail time of up to one year.
- If the larceny involves theft of a firearm worth $1000-2500, the convict may have to face a fine of up to $1000. Also, the judge can sentence the convict to up to one year in jail or up to two years in prison.
- If the value of the property involved is between $2500 and $15000, the defendant may face a $1000 fine and one year or five years in prison.
- If the stolen property’s value is over $15,000, the defendant may be sentenced to up to eight years in prison and pay a fine of $1000.
Understanding how a lawyer can help with false larceny allegations
However, if someone is falsely accusing you of larceny, you must hire an experienced and skilled lawyer to help you get rid of the false charges. Here’s how a lawyer can help you out.
- Represent you in the court.
- Investigate the allegations and gather evidence in your support.
- Identify witnesses and get them to testify for you.
- Cross-examine the witnesses and expose inconsistencies.
- Negotiate for reducing or dropping charges.
Professional legal aid can prove to be pivotal in case of larceny charges. Therefore, it is important to select your lawyer carefully.
