Theft: Warsaw and Wabash Criminal Defense Attorneys
Monday, July 20, 2020
Theft:
In Indiana, there are only two categories of stealing: theft and conversion.
Theft is defined in Indiana Code 35-43-4-2 as: A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person, with intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use. This offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
However, theft can be charged as a Level 6 felony if:
(A) the value of the property is at least $750 and less than $50,000;
(B) the property is a firearm; or
(C) the person has a prior unrelated conviction for theft or criminal conversation.
Conversion:
The offense of criminal conversion is defined in Indiana Code 35-43-4-3. Conversion is charged when a person is accused of knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over property of another person. This crime differs from theft because there is no element of intending to deprive the other person of the value or use of the property. Conversion is a Class A misdemeanor.
Criminal conversion, generally, is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year in jail and fines reaching $5,000. If the conversion involved converting someone’s vehicle in order to use it in a crime, the charge can be elevated to either a Class 6 Felony or Class 5 felony depending on the circumstances. This more serious conversion charge could carry as much as 8 years in prison.
Indiana Shoplifting Laws:
There is no specific shoplifting statute under Indiana theft laws. For incidents of shoplifting items valued at under $750, you are generally charged with criminal conversion or theft as a Class A misdemeanor.
If you steal items valued at greater than $750 and less than $50,000, you are generally charged with a Class 6 Felony theft offense.
Have you been charged with any of the above theft charges in Kosciusko or in the surrounding area? If so, our criminal defense attorneys at Vanderpool Law Firm, PC can provide the tough legal representation you need. We have assisted numerous clients in Kosciusko, Wabash and several other counties. Give us a call or use our contact us form for a consultation today!
