A Zealous Defense Against New Hampshire Theft Crimes

Theft crimes involve taking another person’s money or property without their consent. While these crimes are generally nonviolent, they still carry significant penalties that may have a detrimental effect on your life. Theft crimes often range from misdemeanors to felonies, which can hurt your chances of seeking jobs, higher education and much more.

Our experienced theft crimes defense attorneys at Goulden Law Offices, PLLC, know how to navigate these serious crimes. We represent clients throughout New Hampshire and will aggressively fight to protect your future from the charges against you.

Understanding New Hampshire Theft Crimes

Theft crimes are some of the most common crimes in New Hampshire, and there have been multiple thefts that fall under this category of criminal activity. New Hampshire identifies theft in the following offenses:

• Theft by taking: This involves taking someone’s property without permission and usually with the intent to deprive the owner of that property. This type of theft is also known as larceny or embezzlement.
• Theft by willful concealment: Shoplifting is one common example of this type of crime, where a person willfully conceals goods or merchandise in a store with the intent to leave the store with them. It can also include situations where a person transfers or removes the price tag on merchandise, transfers merchandise from its original packaging to another or gets the cash register to ring up the item at a lesser value than the original price.
• Theft by extortion: This involves securing someone else’s property through threats of harm to that person’s physical condition, their family, career or other means.
• Theft by deception: When a person is able to take someone else’s property through lies, trickery or other methods of deception.
• Receiving stolen property: If a person takes stolen property knowing that it was stolen, it is also considered a theft crime.
• Theft of services: A person may commit this type of theft crime by receiving services from someone else but refusing to provide compensation for those services.
• Theft of lost property: This involves taking someone’s lost property without the intention of attempting to return the property to the rightful owner.

Each of these types of theft crimes is classified as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value, type of property or service that was involved in the crime. Misdemeanor theft crimes generally involve cases that have a value of $1,000 or less. Common consequences of misdemeanor theft crimes include a fine of up to $1,200 for a Class B misdemeanor and a jail term of one year and up to $2,000 in fines for a Class A misdemeanor.

Felony theft crimes often fall into two categories: Class A felony or Class B felony. Class A felonies include crimes where the value of stolen items is $1,500 or more and involve a stolen firearm, or the defendant used a deadly weapon other than a firearm during the crime. Class B felony theft includes crimes with a value of stolen items between $1,000 and $1,500 that involve extortion and the threat of physical harm or confinement; the property was stolen with the intent to resell; or the defendant has previously been convicted of two felonies or Class A misdemeanor thefts.

Class B felony theft crimes include penalties of up to seven years in jail and a maximum fine of $4,000, while Class A felonies include harsher sentences involving up to 15 years of jail time and a fine of $4,000.

What is the difference between a misdemeanor theft offense and a felony theft offense in New Hampshire?

Felony theft charges are much more severe than misdemeanor theft offenses. In New Hampshire, a person could face a misdemeanor theft charge if they stole assets that are less than $1,000 in value but more than $500. This charge could lead to incarceration for up to one year and $2,000 in fines.

A defendant may face a felony offense charge if the stolen assets exceed $1,000 and the crime involves any of the following:

• An intent to resell the stolen items
• Physical harm to a victim
• The distribution of stolen goods
• An offender with two prior theft convictions
• The use or theft of firearms or deadly weapons

Felony charges can lead to more than 30 years in prison and $4,000 in fines depending on the value of the stolen goods.

What are the penalties associated with a first-time theft offense in New Hampshire?

A first-time theft offense in New Hampshire can lead to jail time and fines. With a strong legal defense, charges may be reduced or dismissed depending on a few factors, such as the value of the stolen goods. In some cases, charges may be reduced to probation and community service.

What is petty theft?

Theft crimes in New Hampshire have a range of criminal charges depending on the value of the stolen property. Petty theft is a charge that typically involves stolen assets that do not exceed $1,000 in value. Items like clothing, food and electronics are often stolen from shops and retail stores. It is possible to defend against petty theft charges by proving that the defendant did not intentionally take the property, intended to return it or believed that the property was rightfully theirs. Our attorneys can help you build your defense against theft charges.

How is theft different from a robbery or burglary?

Theft involves the unlawful possession of another person’s property. Robbery is a crime that involves the use of threats or force or violence to take property from a person. Burglary is unlawful access to a building, typically with the intent to steal.

Why You Need A Theft Crimes Defense Attorney

The consequences of a theft crime can completely upend your entire life. You can face serious jail time and a mark on your criminal record that can hurt your education, career and everyday life.

Our skilled theft crimes defense attorneys understand how challenging this situation must be for you. When you work with us, you work directly with one of our attorneys. We take great pride in providing tailor-made solutions for each of our clients and being easily accessible via phone whenever you need to discuss your case.

One of our attorneys is a retired police lieutenant and prosecutor, so we understand the New Hampshire justice system from the inside out and use that insight to help our clients better navigate this process. We’re dedicated to fighting for your legal rights and minimizing or dismissing the charges against you.

Consult With Our Nashua Theft Crimes Defense Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has been charged with a serious theft crime, you need to talk to an attorney as soon as possible. Goulden Law Offices, PLLC, has successfully achieved not guilty verdicts and reduced charges for our clients and can help do the same for you.

Call 603-237-1105 today to schedule a consultation or email us online to get started.