Theft offenses are taken very seriously in Mississippi, and a guilty conviction can land you in prison for anywhere from six months for shoplifting all the way up to 25 years for burglary. If you have found yourself the subject of investigation in a theft offense criminal action or probe or believe you might be, you’ll want to work with a trustworthy and tenacious theft offense defense attorney who will fight to protect your interests and freedom.
Biloxi, MS theft offense lawyer Corban Gunn will work to defend you against investigations and prosecutions into:
- Burglary
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Embezzlement
- Auto Theft
- False pretenses
- Receiving Stolen Property
- Possession of Burglar Tools
Don’t Take A Plea Deal Without Speaking to a Mississippi Criminal Defense Attorney
Although the penalties for theft offenses can be severe, you are innocent until determined to be guilty by a jury weighing all the evidence. In a criminal case, the prosecution is required to prove every element of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Because this is a very high standard that the prosecutors must meet, their goal is usually to get you to agree to a plea deal and save them the trouble of proving their case to a jury, which means you plead guilty and accept a punishment which can include jail time. But you should never take a plea deal without consulting with an experienced criminal attorney first.
There are many defenses a tough defense attorney can assert on your behalf, and so it pays to speak with a lawyer who can inform you of your rights and possible defenses. For example, one of the most difficult elements that the prosecution has to prove is whether you had the intent to actually commit a theft. If you had reason to believe that some property belonged to you, or that you had a right to take it or accept it, or you did not realize that you were taking the property and/or never intended to keep it, there may be grounds for a complete defense to the crime charged.
Even if you do ultimately agree to a plea deal, an experienced defense attorney will work to reduce your penalties to the minimum amount possible. This can mean the difference between being separated from your family for years and perhaps just a few months with some fines attached.
Theft Offenses in Mississippi Can be Complex, Tricky Cases
You might think that the fact that you are not in the possession of another’s property, and never were, might be an automatic get-out-of-jail-free card, but prosecutors have a number of ways to pin a guilty charge on you. For example, if prosecutors assert that you entered into an agreement with another to commit a theft offense, you can be charged with a conspiracy, and if they charge that you either aided or encouraged another person’s theft or attempted theft, you might find yourself before a jury.
If you’re implicated in a theft offense or feel that you might be, don’t rely on law enforcement or prosecutors to inform you of your rights or understand your version of the events. Your best bet is to speak with a seasoned theft offense attorney who will fight for your rights all the way through the process.
Seek Experienced Representation from a Mississippi Theft Offense Lawyer
If you are the subject of an investigation or prosecution of a theft offense in Mississippi, contact Corban Gunn, Biloxi, MS theft offense lawyer. At Corban Gunn, Attorney at Law, we have a proven record of going up against tough prosecutors to protect our clients’ interests and defend their freedom. Give us a call or contact us online to schedule a free consultation and find out how we can help you.
