Toledo Theft Crime Attorneys

Seasoned Legal Counsel from Patituce & Associates

Any instance in which one individual takes the property of another person without that person's consent is considered a theft crime. Ohio has also criminalized many of the deceptive acts that facilitate theft, as well. While the severity of these charges varies widely, their potential impact on the accused most often depends on the value of the alleged stolen goods.

If you have been charged with a theft crime, it is critical that you seek seasoned, proven counsel assess your case. At Patituce & Associates, our team of Toledo theft crime lawyers consists of not one, but three former prosecutors who, collectively, have successfully navigated thousands of criminal cases. We have the insight and the resources to bring effective defense to your case and are ready to relentlessly pursue a favorable outcome on your behalf.

The time to start mounting your defense is now. Call our offices at (419) 597-5849 today. We make ourselves available 24/7 for our clients.

Types of Theft Crimes

In Ohio, there is no single theft statute. Instead, there are numerous laws that address the many ways that theft can occur. These laws are complex and often come with conditional tiers of severity depending on the circumstances of the alleged incident. Due to our firm's experience in this practice area, we are ready to take on any of these charges our clients may be accused of.

Just a few of the cases our firm has successfully handled involved:

• O.R.C. 2913.02: Theft
• O.R.C. 2913.03: Unauthorized use of a vehicle
• O.R.C. 2913.51: Receiving stolen property
• O.R.C. 2913.04: Unauthorized use of property - computer, cable, or telecommunication property
• O.R.C. 2913.61: Finding of value of stolen property as part of verdict
• O.R.C. 2913.21: Misuse of credit cards
• O.R.C. 2913.11: Passing bad checks
• O.R.C. 2913.48: Workers' compensation fraud
• O.R.C. 2913.05: Telecommunications fraud
• O.R.C. 2913.47: Insurance fraud
• O.R.C. 2913.40: Medicaid fraud
• O.R.C. 2913.71: Felony of fifth degree regardless of the value of the property

Penalties for Theft Crimes

Several different factors go into determining the penalties in a theft crime case, but the key component is the value of the stolen goods. For example, under O.R.C. 2913.02, someone who found guilty of stealing goods valued under $1,000 (an offense known as "petty theft") can be sentenced to up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. As the value of the stolen goods goes up, so does the severity of the possible penalties.

There are, however, a few key statutes to keep in mind. One is O.R.C. 2913.61 (Finding of value of stolen property as part of verdict). This statute can be particularly damaging to the defendant because it allows the court to add up the value of several stolen goods. So, if a defendant is found guilty of several petty theft incidents, the cumulative value of all the involved goods can be used to provide a more severe punishment.

Secondly, it is important to consider O.R.C. 2913.71 (felony of fifth degree regardless of the value of the property) when approaching certain theft allegations. This statute classifies certain materials as especially sensitive and, if they are stolen, the accused is automatically charged with a fifth-degree felony.

These materials include:

• Motor vehicle title certificates
• Forged checks
• Credit cards
• Blank forms for Ohio driver's licenses
• Motor vehicle license plates

Theft laws are complex and every case, every client faces a unique set of circumstances as they confront the allegations against them. Our firm understands the nuances of these laws and is ready to bring vigilant and aggressive advocacy to your case.

Start exploring your defense options with a free and confidential phone consultation. Our team is ready to hear your story.