New Hampshire Larceny Lawyer
Larceny – or theft – charges are very serious charges under New Hampshire law, and a criminal conviction can have a very serious impact on a person’s life. New Hampshire treats larceny charges very seriously, and larceny may be prosecuted as either a felony or as a misdemeanor, depending upon the circumstances. For example, larceny or theft may be charged as a misdemeanor if the value of the items stolen is less than $1,000.
If you have been charged with larceny or theft in New Hampshire, you need representation by an experienced defense attorney throughout your case.
New Hampshire larceny defense lawyers may be able to represent you throughout your criminal case and can assist you with formulating the necessary defense(s) to obtain a dismissal of your case or plead to a lesser charge.
Larceny Defined Under the New Hampshire Criminal Code
The New Hampshire Criminal Code defines larceny as unlawfully taking property without the permission or authorization of the owner or possessor of the property. Also, under the criminal code, larceny may take any of the following forms:
- Theft by unauthorized taking
- Theft by deception (e.g., false pretenses)
- Theft of services
- Theft of lost property
- Shoplifting or willful concealment
- Recovering stolen property
For more information about the different forms of larceny, the criminal elements of larceny, and the possible penalties for larceny, individuals should contact a New Hampshire larceny lawyer.
Possible Penalties for a Larceny Conviction
A New Hampshire larceny conviction carries with it very serious penalties. A larceny conviction may result in a fine of up to $4,000, jail time ranging from seven to 15 years, or both.
A larceny conviction can have serious impacts on an individual’s personal and professional life. Criminal background checks are becoming increasingly more common, and a criminal conviction – especially one for burglary or larceny – can impact one or more of the following:
- College or university admission decisions
- Employment hiring decisions
- Residential applications (e.g., for a condominium or apartment lease)
Defenses to a Larceny Charge
Legal defenses may be available to individuals who have been charged with larceny. Larceny, like burglary, is a specific intent crime, and if a defense attorney can prove that an individual lacked the specific intent to steal or commit a larceny offense, there is a good chance that a larceny charge may be dropped or reduced. Some examples of defenses to larceny – as well as some other mitigating factors – include the following:
- Lack of specific intent to commit a theft or larceny offense
- Drug abuse
- Gambling addiction
- Loss of employment
Talk to a New Hampshire Larceny Lawyer Today
If you have been charged with larceny, you need experienced legal representation throughout your case by a New Hampshire larceny defense attorney. Skilled larceny attorneys are here to help you with formulating a defense(s) to your larceny charge and may also be able to assist you with having your charges and penalties dropped or reduced, via a plea deal with the state’s attorney.
A dedicated New Hampshire larceny lawyer can ensure that you understand all of your legal rights and options and can ensure that all of your rights are safeguarded while your criminal case is pending.
You can contact an experienced larceny attorney at any time, via telephone or email, for an initial consultation.