Medina Theft Crimes Lawyers

Challenging Allegations of Theft-Related Charges

Theft crimes encompass a broad range of offenses, from identity fraud and credit card misuse to more serious felony charges like insurance fraud or auto theft. No matter the allegation, these charges have significant legal and personal consequences. 

Our defense lawyers, including former prosecutors and a Board Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, provide aggressive legal representation for individuals accused of theft crimes, protecting their rights and carefully examining their cases for weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence.

We have successfully defended clients facing a broad spectrum of theft-related offenses, including:

• Identity fraud
• Misuse of credit cards
• Unlawful use of a telecommunications device
• Receiving stolen property
• Insurance fraud
• Unauthorized use of a vehicle
• Personating an officer
• Forging identification cards

We also defend against other theft-related offenses under Ohio and federal law. Our firm knows how to challenge the prosecution’s case, suppress illegally obtained evidence, and negotiate for reduced charges or dismissals when possible.

Theft Crime Laws and Penalties in Ohio

Ohio Revised Code § 2913.02 outlines the state’s theft laws, which provide that theft is knowingly obtaining or exerting control over another person’s property or services without consent or beyond the scope of given consent. The act can be accomplished through deception, threat, intimidation, or other unlawful means. While all theft offenses carry serious consequences, the severity of the penalties depends on the value of the property or services involved.

Theft offenses are generally categorized based on the monetary value of the stolen property:

• First-degree misdemeanor – Property or services valued under $1,000
• Fifth-degree felony – Property or services valued between $1,000 and $7,400
• Fourth-degree felony – Property or services valued between $7,500 and $149,000
• Third-degree felony – Property or services valued between $150,000 and $749,000
• Second-degree felony – Property or services valued between $750,000 and $1.4 million
• First-degree felony – Property or services valued at $1.5 million or more

Beyond incarceration and fines, a theft conviction can have lasting repercussions, including a permanent criminal record, loss of employment opportunities, damage to your reputation, and difficulty obtaining professional licenses.

How We Build a Strong Defense Strategy in Theft Cases

We take an aggressive, results-driven approach to defending clients accused of theft-related offenses. With deep knowledge of Medina County Common Pleas Court, Medina Municipal Court, and the local prosecutors handling theft cases, we know how to anticipate the prosecution’s strategy and craft a compelling defense tailored to your situation.

Investigating and Analyzing the Case

A strong defense begins with a meticulous review of the charges against you. Our attorneys examine every aspect of the case, from the circumstances surrounding your arrest to the evidence presented by law enforcement. We scrutinize witness statements, video footage, forensic reports, and financial records, searching for inconsistencies, misinterpretations, or outright errors that could weaken the prosecution’s case.

Challenging Law Enforcement’s Evidence

How evidence is collected and handled can impact the outcome of a case. We carefully analyze whether law enforcement violated your rights, improperly conducted searches, or engaged in unlawful interrogation tactics. If the evidence against you was obtained through illegal search and seizure or other constitutional violations, we take swift action to have it suppressed, which can lead to a case dismissal or reduced charges.

Negotiating for Dismissal or Charge Reduction

When possible, we explore opportunities to negotiate with prosecutors for a favorable resolution, which may include reducing felony charges to misdemeanors, securing alternative sentencing options, or pursuing a complete case dismissal. Prosecutors often prioritize convictions, but our legal team leverages our extensive experience to push back against weak evidence and advocate for diversion programs, probation, or lesser penalties to minimize the impact on your life.