If you have been charged with Grand Theft it is important that you understand the charges against you and what your legal rights are. Idaho's theft laws can be complex and severe. You should not try to take on the criminal justice system on your own.
What is Grand Theft?
In the State of Idaho (Idaho Code §18-2407 there are several ways someone you can be arrested and convicted for Grand Theft:
- Theft of property valued over $1000.
- The theft of a firearm.
- Theft by a public servant engaging in their duties.
- Theft of a public record.
- Theft of a check, money order, credit card, or bank card.
- Theft of property of any value through physical force.
- Theft of property of any value through extortion.
- Theft of livestock.
- A series of thefts that when added together exceed a value of $1000.
Consequences Of A Conviction For Grand Theft
All Grand Theft charges are felonies and can lead to severe penalties. Under Idaho Code §18-2408 Grand Theft is punishable by a fine of $5000 and up to 14 years in the state penitentiary. However, the negative effects of a conviction do not stop there, they can have serious short and long term consequences beyond those punishments ordered by the court, potentially affecting your employment, personal relationships, and reputation. A conviction can be particularly harmful in terms of gaining future employment, state licensing, and other benefits. The conviction will appear on any background checks and employers tend to pass on applicants with theft records, fearing them to be dishonest and having the potential to steal from their companies.
Grand Theft is considered a "crime of moral turpitude" and can prevent you from obtaining professional licenses and certifications. This may also prevent you from getting Federal Student Loans for education.
Grand Theft Of Livestock
This is a felony punishable by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000). The $1,000 minimum fine cannot be suspended or withheld. The person convicted of the offense may also be imprisoned in the state prison for not less than one (1) year nor more than fourteen (14) years. That means the person convicted will serve at least one year in prison, and possibly more. In addition, the court can assess civil damages, as provided in section 25-1910, Idaho Code.
Fight Your Grand Theft Case
Do not let a theft conviction follow you around for the rest of your life! Let me fight to keep you out of jail and keep a theft conviction off your record!
An experienced Idaho theft crimes attorney can fight the charge and keep it off your record. Every theft case is different and William Young scrutinizes the facts of every case to see if the prosecutor really has enough evidence to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If not, we can challenge the evidence in court, get the case dropped, or win the case at trial.
Even if the evidence is overwhelming, we can fight to try and get the charge reduced or limit the punishment to community service and/or probation.
Do not fight the system on your own, you have too much on the line! Protect your rights and your freedom! Call me today for a free consultation!
