Akron Theft Crimes Lawyer Smart Strategy. Fearless Defense.

Akron Theft Crime Attorney

Defending Against Theft Crime Charges in Ohio

If you ultimately sustain a conviction on a theft charge in Ohio, you face severe penalties, including monetary fines, restitution, and potential jail time. In general, a theft offender’s penalties depend mainly on the value of the items they allegedly stole.

If you are currently facing a criminal theft charge, you need an experienced team of lawyers representing you at every stage. The knowledgeable Akron theft crime lawyers at Patituce & Associates understand the seriousness of the potential penalties and collateral consequences that can follow a theft crime conviction.

Our legal team will work aggressively on your behalf to protect your rights, defend you at trial, or negotiate a favorable plea deal with the state prosecutor in your case. We will fight for your rights at every stage of the proceedings and pursue the best possible result in your case.

Never wait to discuss your arrest and charges with an Akron theft crime lawyer. You want defense representation at every court hearing and appearance, so act now to begin your defense.

Contact our office 24/7 to speak with our theft crimes lawyer in Akron.

Why Choose Us?

A conviction for a theft crime can result in severe monetary fines and jail time. In addition, an individual who incurs a theft crime conviction may face numerous collateral consequences, including harm to their reputation.

If you are currently facing an Ohio criminal theft charge, you want the best possible legal team to advocate for you at every stage of the proceedings. The Akron theft crime attorneys at Patituce & Associates, LLC have a combined 70-plus years of experience representing individuals accused of criminal offenses.

In addition, three members of our legal team are former prosecutors. We understand how prosecutors build their criminal cases from start to finish against accused individuals, and we use this experience to pursue favorable results for our clients.

Our office is in Downtown Akron at 520 South Main Street. We can navigate every step of the process, including thoroughly explaining the pending theft charge against you, investigating potential legal defenses you can raise in court, and representing you at all legal proceedings, including your criminal bench or jury trial.

Let us achieve the best possible result in your pending criminal case, whether a case dismissal, plea agreement, or acquittal at trial. We can guide you to make the best decisions regarding your charges.

What Are the Potential Penalties for an Theft Conviction?

For you to be subject to legal penalties and collateral consequences in an Akron theft case, the state prosecutor must first satisfy their legal burden of proof. Specifically, the prosecutor has to prove each legal element of their case beyond a reasonable doubt. By raising one or more legal defenses on your behalf in court, we can challenge the state prosecutor’s high burden of proof.

However, if the state prosecutor can satisfy their legal burden, a sentencing judge has to impose penalties against you upon conviction under state statute.

The penalties a theft offender may receive upon conviction typically depend on the value of the allegedly stolen property. For example, if an individual sustains a conviction for receiving stolen property, a first-degree misdemeanor, a judge can sentence them to a maximum of 180 days of incarceration. A conviction for receiving stolen property at this level generally applies to items valued at less than $1,000.

The criminal penalties may increase significantly if you sustain a conviction for stealing more valuable goods. For example, if you incur a conviction for stealing anything with a value of more than $1,000, you can receive felony-level penalties that can range from between one and ten years of incarceration, along with monetary fines and restitution to the alleged victim.

In addition, under Ohio law, a prosecutor can combine several more minor theft charges together to reach a higher total amount. If the prosecutor can do this successfully, it may increase the potential penalties that you ultimately face upon conviction. Therefore, what may have been initially a misdemeanor offense can turn into a felony offense.

In addition to these potential legal consequences for a theft conviction, offenders may face numerous collateral consequences that affect every aspect of their lives.

Some of the most common collateral consequences that convicted theft offenders may experience include:

Difficulty gaining admission to a university, college, or vocational program
Difficulty finding a place to live
Difficulty finding or keeping a job
Harm to one’s reputation in both their personal and professional communities

Many of these collateral consequences happen because prospective educational institutions, landlords, financial institutions, and employers perform criminal background checks on applicants. If they uncover a theft conviction on the applicant’s record, they are more likely to deny the individual’s application.

The best way to avoid legal penalties and collateral consequences in a theft case is to avoid a conviction altogether. Our legal team can formulate a solid legal defense that may result in a complete dismissal of your case.

However, if you sustain a conviction on your criminal theft charge, we can represent you at your sentencing hearing before a judge and argue for the lightest possible penalties on your behalf. We will also do everything possible to lessen or eliminate the collateral consequences you face after your conviction.

View More Videos

Worth Every Penny
“Outstanding service!!! Worth every penny!!! Great communication, quick response time, and when my case hit some speed bumps, he handled them easily. I am extremely pleased with my outcome.”

- Kevin I.
Unwavering Support
“Their friendly and approachable team provided unwavering support. They worked diligently to build a robust defense, ensuring my side of the story was heard and considered!!!”

- Cora B.
We Are Grateful
“Seeking representation for federal charges against my husband led me to engage with this firm. Swiftly connected with Joe Patituce, we made the decision to enlist his services that very day, a choice we're grateful for.”

- Martha L.
Simply the Best
“He is simply the best criminal defense lawyer out there and provides a clear-cut path to victory. I am extremely impressed and thankful for the hard work and dedication the team put in on this case.”

- Levi G.
Present & Attentive
“My attorney was present, attentive, always returned my calls, answered my questions, and never ignored my calls. If I ever need an attorney in the future I will definitely go back to her.”

- Former Client
I highly recommend them to everybody
“They talked me through my whole case and when I told them I wanted a trial, they agreed without hesitation. They were very professional, and I couldn’t ask for a better law firm to have my back.”

- Thomas S.
Ethical and Honest
“They genuinely care about their clients, they are ethical, honest and highly proactive. They guided us with care through the uncertainty that is our legal system. They kept us informed and answered all our questions.”

- Matthew S.
Outstanding Representation
“My attorney was very knowledgeable of the law and what needed to be done. I was pleased with his work and would recommend to all. Patituce & Associates provided outstanding representation.”

- Steven V.
Couldn't Have Made A Better Choice
“I engaged Joe Patituce's services for my DUI case, and I couldn't have made a better choice. He and his team demonstrated excellence throughout, managing my case with remarkable skill and professionalism.”

- Glenn G.

View All Reviews

We Refuse to Lose Your Case Deserves a Customized Defense Strategy

We understand that your specific situation requires individualized attention, and we are dedicated to providing just that.

Get A consultation Today

No Case is Hopeless

We Don't Back Down. Ever.

Explore some of our recent wins.

See How We Fight and Win

Case Dismissed CLEVELAND V. AL-NAZER (2012 TRC 040781)
Our client was accused of driving while under the influence of drugs, or alcohol.
Not Guilty At Trial ROCKY RIVER V. D.F.
Client was charged with domestic violence against his wife.
Plea and Record Expunged STATE V. BAILEY, CUYAHOGA
Client was accused of stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of property.
Charges Dismissed State v. Beckwith, Cuyahoga County
Student charged with the manufacturing of ecstasy.
Case Dismissed STATE V. J.S. (A JUVENILE) YOUNGSTOWN
Local counsel pushed for a plea to one of the sex related charges.
Acquittal State v. Tevin Biles
Client was identified as one of the alleged shooters at a New Year’s Eve party.

What Are Some Common Theft Offenses?

Criminal prosecutors in Ohio may charge a theft offense as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending upon the value of the alleged goods or money stolen.

Some of the most common theft offenses in Ohio include:

Passing bad checks
Unauthorized vehicle use
Unlawful use of a telecommunications device
Possessing or selling an unauthorized cable television device
Theft
Unauthorized property use
Misusing credit cards
Tampering with records
Distributing, selling, or forging identification cards
Trademark counterfeiting
Receipt of stolen property
Securing writings by deception
Illegally transmitting more than one commercial electronic mail message (such as spamming)

We can also defend you against any possible fraud charge that you may be facing in the Ohio Criminal Court System.

If you are currently facing any of these criminal charges, reach out to legal counsel immediately. At Patituce & Associates, LLC, our skilled and compassionate Akron criminal defense lawyers can determine your eligibility to raise a solid legal defense to one of these criminal offenses and seek the best possible result in court.

Potential Legal Defenses to a Theft Charge

Suppose you are currently facing a criminal theft charge in Ohio. In that case, we can review the circumstances of your arrest with you and determine if you may be eligible to raise one or more legal defenses to your charge.

Although an accused individual does not have to satisfy a burden of proof in their case or even testify at trial, they can raise one or more favorable legal defenses in court.

Those defenses can work to challenge various elements of the prosecutor’s case. If one or more of the defenses are successful in court, the prosecutor may have no choice but to dismiss the pending theft charge.

The potential defenses an individual can raise in response to a criminal theft charge will depend upon various circumstances, including the specific charge the individual is facing.

For example, if an individual is facing a charge for receipt of stolen goods, they can allege they did not know they possessed stolen goods (in other words, lack of knowledge or intent).

You might argue that you took the items in question because of duress, such as when someone forced you to take the items at gunpoint.

Alternatively, you can argue that you did not transport or carry away the items in question. To succeed in the defense of a theft charge, you must also demonstrate that you returned the property in question.

Our legal team can determine whether you are eligible to raise one or more legal defenses to your criminal theft charge. If so, we can present the appropriate defense on your behalf in court and seek a complete dismissal of your criminal case.

Negotiating a Favorable Plea Deal With the Ohio Prosecutor Who Is Handling Your Case

Our legal team can often negotiate a favorable plea deal with the state prosecutor on your behalf. A prosecutor might offer you a plea deal if they are unsure they can secure a conviction against you in court or want to avoid trial.

We can help you decide whether to take your case to trial or enter into a favorable plea deal.

In a plea deal arrangement, the state prosecutor ordinarily agrees to a term of probation or a reduced charge in exchange for a guilty plea from the accused individual. If the prosecutor offers the accused person probation instead of jail time, and the individual successfully completes all of the terms of that probation, then any conviction may be eligible to be sealed or may have reduced long-term effects.

However, remember that by accepting a plea deal from the state prosecutor, you will likely be giving up certain legal rights, including your constitutional right to a trial by jury, along with your right of appeal.

In addition, if you decide to accept a plea deal, you must attend a plea hearing. At that hearing, you will state, on the record, that you agree to enter the plea deal freely and voluntarily, and that no one coerced you into it. At that point, the judge may accept your plea.

Our legal team can determine if you may be better off asserting a solid legal defense at your criminal bench or jury trial or negotiating a fair plea deal with state prosecutors in your case. Our legal team has professional working relationships with both criminal court judges and state prosecutors, and we use those relationships to pursue favorable results for our clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should You Do After an Arrest on a Criminal Theft Charge?

Once a police officer takes you into custody and formally arrests you, you should promptly assert your constitutional right to the presence of legal counsel during any questioning.

Once you assert this right, the police officer must cease questioning until legal counsel is available. If the officer does question you and you say something incriminating, that incriminating statement may be subject to suppression at your trial.

In addition to retaining copies of any pertinent documents in your case, including citations and charging documents, you must immediately speak with an experienced Akron theft crime attorney.

Our legal team can immediately enter an appearance on your behalf and begin defending you against your criminal charges. We can also answer all of your legal questions and advise you so you can make informed decisions while your criminal case is pending, such as whether to plead guilty or not guilty.

How Quickly Should I Contact A Lawyer After A Theft Arrest?

You should contact a lawyer as soon as possible after any theft-related arrest or investigation. Early representation allows counsel to protect your right to remain silent, address bond at your first appearance, and begin preserving important evidence such as store videos or phone records. Waiting even a few days can make it harder to track down witnesses and may limit the defenses that can be raised later in court.

Will A Theft Conviction Always Stay On My Record?

In Ohio, some theft-related convictions may be eligible for sealing or expungement after certain conditions are met, while others may not qualify. Eligibility can depend on the level of the offense, your prior record, and whether you successfully completed all terms of your sentence. Because these rules are technical and change over time, it is important to have someone review your history and the specific statute you were convicted under before assuming nothing can be done.

Do I Have To Go To Every Court Date In My Theft Case?

In most criminal theft cases, you will be required to appear for key hearings such as arraignment, plea hearings, and trial, unless the judge specifically excuses your presence. Missing court without permission can lead to a warrant and additional charges. Your attorney can often appear on your behalf for some pretrial conferences in Akron Municipal Court or the Summit County Court of Common Pleas, but you should always confirm in advance which dates require you to be personally present.

Contact Our Akron Theft Crime Lawyer Today

If you are currently facing a criminal theft charge, you must have skilled legal counsel representing you at every stage of the proceedings.

If you wait too long, your attorney may lack the time to sufficiently prepare your case for various legal proceedings, including your criminal court trial. Additionally, if you show up to a criminal proceeding without legal counsel present, a judge need not postpone that proceeding. The presiding judge can make you proceed with your case without a lawyer present.

Criminal charges can have devastating and long-lasting effects on a person’s life. At Patituce & Associates, LLC, our knowledgeable and compassionate criminal defense attorneys can advocate for you during every stage of your case and work to achieve the best possible result.

For a free case evaluation and legal consultation with an experienced Akron theft crime attorney, please call us at (440) 664-3871 or online today.

We Know the Legal System

Our criminal defense attorneys understand the legal system and local courts, helping you navigate your case efficiently and avoid costly mistakes.
We Give You Peace of Mind

Being charged with a crime is overwhelming. With our team on your side, you can focus on your life while an experienced professional handles your defense.
We Fight For Your Rights

Police and prosecutors sometimes push the limits of the law. We work to protect your rights and prevent unconstitutional evidence from being used against you.
We Build A Strategic Defense

Fighting criminal charges requires a strong strategy. Our experienced team builds a defense tailored to the specific facts of your case.
We Work to Mitigate Consequences

One of the main benefits of hiring our Ohio criminal defense attorneys is our ability to help reduce the potential consequences of a conviction.

Ready For A Team That Won't Back Down?

Available 24/7

At Patituce & Associates, we're always ready to take your call! Give us a call at (440) 771-1175 or fill out the form below to contact one of our team members.

First Name
Last Name
Phone
Email
Are you a new client?
How can we help you?
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Patituce & Associates at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy