Theft Lawyers Knoxville TN

Types of Theft Crimes

 

Criminal charges for theft can be in two categories – theft of property or theft of services.

A person commits theft of property if he or she takes property without the owner’s permission with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. This legal category of theft includes criminal charges for shoplifting.

A person commits theft of services by either: obtaining services using deceit, fraud, coercion, forgery, false pretenses, or false statements; using services meant for others to their own benefit, or leaving a business without paying.

However, bear in mind that theft in the State of Tennessee also includes fraudulent conversion, larceny, and embezzlement.

 

Will Theft Be Prosecuted as a Misdemeanor or a Felony?

 

Whether a theft crime will be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or felony depends on the value of the property unlawfully obtained.

Theft of property or services with a value of $1,000.00 or less is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by an eleven-month and twenty-nine-day sentence and a fine of up to $2,500.00.

It is a Class E felony punishable by one to six years and a fine of up to $5,000 to commit theft with a value of more than $1,000.00 but less than $2,500.00.

It is a Class D felony to steal property or services with a value of $2,500.00 but less than $10,000.00 and is punishable by two to twelve years in custody and up to $10,000.00 in fines.

Theft of property or services with a value of $10,000.00 to $60,000.00 is punishable as a Class C felony with three to fifteen years in prison and up to $10,000.00 in fines.

Theft of more than $60,000.00 is a Class B felony punishable by eight to thirty years in custody and up to a $25,000.00 fine.

There are other penalties those convicted of theft may face. For example, a Tennessee theft conviction can impact one’s ability to maintain employment. Furthermore, a conviction will be permanently on a person’s criminal record.