Being accused of a theft crime is embarrassing at best and terrifying at worst. You don't have to go through this process alone.

Sometimes people are accused of taking things from a store, or maybe obtaining unemployment or housing benefits when they were not entitled to them, or maybe cashing a check that they should not have cashed. Having a lawyer to guide you through any of these situations can reduce your anxiety and minimize the possibility that you will be convicted of the charges brought against you. If you are looking for help and don't want to feel judged, give me a call.

At the lowest level, you may face a charge of Petit Larceny. At the most serious level, you could be charged with Identity Theft or Grand Larceny.

• Grand Larceny in the First Degree
• Grand Larceny in the Second Degree
• Grand Larceny in the Third Degree
• Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree
• Petit Larceny
• Identity Theft
• Credit Card Fraud

Petit larceny, a.k.a "shoplifting," is a misdemeanor-level crime, meaning that it is punishable by up to a year in jail or three years of probation supervision. If you are brought before a judge on a misdemeanor charge such as petit larceny, that judge will ask you if you have a lawyer, and the judge will also tell you that if you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to you. You will be given an opportunity to apply for public defender services, but if you don't qualify because of the amount of money you make, the judge is likely going to insist that you hire an attorney. Why?

You need an attorney when you are charged with a crime because you can't defend yourself. Even lawyers who have been practicing criminal law for years will hire an attorney if they are charged with a crime. Why? Again, because they can't defend themselves. Knowing the law inside and out isn't good enough... knowing the nuances of how a particular judge operates isn't good enough. You can't defend yourself because you are too close to the case. You can't have a frank discussion about the merits of the case with the prosecutor because he is desperately trying to avoid giving you legal advice. You can't have a frank discussion about the merits of the case with a judge because she is desperately trying to preserve your right to remain silent. You... can't... defend... yourself. It's nothing personal. Sometimes really, really smart people who didn't go to law school try to defend themselves in court. They sometimes end up looking brilliant for about 30 seconds before they walk themselves right into a landmine of trouble.

When it comes to relatively low-level crimes like petit larceny, an experienced criminal defense attorney can typically get a first-time offender a pretty good deal that involves some community service and ultimately, a sealed record.

In order to achieve the best possible outcome, you'll need an experienced attorney who can create a strong defense on your behalf. Attorney P. Adam Militello, Esq. has the experience and knowledge you need to fight your case.  If you have been charged with a theft crime, get started today and call us for a free telephone consultation and case evaluation at (585) 485-0025.