Image

Theft/Larceny Lawyer in St Louis

Call Combs Waterkotte to Protect Your Freedom and Future

Verified Content

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

Award Award Award Award Award Award Award

Theft/Larceny Lawyer in St Louis:
Protecting Your Future

Whether simple shoplifting, embezzlement, or more serious theft crimes like grand larceny, being convicted of a theft crime in St. Louis or elsewhere throughout Missouri can be a real issue for anyone. Criminal penalties for larceny offenses can result in jail time, massive fines, and potentially time in state prison in more severe cases. Combs Waterkotte is here to provide all our St. Louis, MO clients guidance and support throughout the legal process. We understand that sometimes people are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. We work to understand your circumstances and utilize this information to get you the best possible outcome for your St. Louis larceny case.

Video with a review

Image
Play video

"Best group of criminal defense lawyers in the St. Louis area. I can't say enough about them and the lengths that this firm will go to ensure presumption of innocence and actually fight for their clients."

Client Review (Google)

Read All Reviews

abc
cnn | Combs Waterkotte
fox | Combs Waterkotte
nbc | Combs Waterkotte
Yahoo | Combs Waterkotte
USA Today | Combs Waterkotte
The Washington Post | Combs Waterkotte
St. Louis Post-Dispatch | Combs Waterkotte
The New York Times | Combs Waterkotte
MSN | Combs Waterkotte
Miami Herald | Combs Waterkotte
KTVI 2 | Combs Waterkotte
KMOV 4 | Combs Waterkotte
KSDK 5 | Combs Waterkotte
Investigation Discovery | Combs Waterkotte
Good Morning America | Combs Waterkotte
Court TV | Combs Waterkotte
Associated Press | Combs Waterkotte
What Are Some Examples of Theft/Larceny Crimes?

What Are Some Examples of Theft/Larceny Crimes in St. Louis and Missouri?

The Federal Bureau of Investigation defines larceny-theft as the unlawful taking, carrying, leading, or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possession of another.

Combs Waterkotte protects our clients' freedom and futures. Contact one of our St. Louis criminal defense lawyers now at (314) 900-HELP.

Larceny-theft crimes are more prevalent than one might think, with the FBI reporting that more than 25 percent of these crimes occur within the context of motor vehicle thefts. Understanding the different forms of theft is crucial when addressing such charges. The FBI provides examples of thefts that can lead to criminal charges, including thefts of bicycles, motor vehicle parts and accessories, shoplifting, pocket-picking, and stealing of any property or article that is not taken by force and violence or by fraud.

Navigating theft charges can be complex, and individuals accused of larceny-theft need a strong defense to protect their rights and future. Combs Waterkotte is committed to safeguarding our clients' freedom and guiding them through these legal challenges. If you are facing theft-related charges, don't hesitate to contact one of our experienced St. Louis criminal defense lawyers at (314) 900-HELP for immediate assistance and dedicated legal representation.

We’ll pursue every legal avenue to eliminate the legal consequences of the charges against you in St. Louis, or severely limit them. But if the evidence is stacked against you, or you made a terrible mistake you regret, we’ll still represent you and work to get the best possible resolution for you, your loved ones, and your future.


Image

What Are the Theft/Larceny Crime Penalties?
Image
Image

What Are the Theft/Larceny Crime Penalties in St. Louis and Missouri?

The law in Missouri regarding theft and larceny is quite detailed. Punishments vary greatly depending on what was stolen, how much, and whether or not this is your first offense. Special punishment enhancements have also been passed to try and curb what lawmakers see as acute drug or violence problems. The most recent of these enhancements concerns the theft of anhydrous ammonia, commonly used to make methamphetamine. As of 2017, any theft of this substance is automatically a class B felony. Most other theft crimes are class A misdemeanors, with some exceptions

Accusation:

  • First offense; less than $150
  • Stole an animal OR 3rd offense in last 10 years
  • Stole $750 or more; stole a vehicle, credit card, or firearm
  • Stole $25,000 or more

  • Felony Stealing

    Charge

    Felony Stealing

    Result

    Dismissed

    Combs Waterkotte represented a North County woman on two felony counts of stealing a credit device and one count of felony stealing in St. Louis City Circuit …

    Charge

    Felony Stealing

    Result

    Dismissed

  • Forgery for Counterfeit Bet Tickets

    Charge

    Forgery

    Result

    Dismissed

    In this case, a man was charged with forgery. The charge alleges that our client committed forgery by using counterfeit bet tickets at the casino. We had the …

    Charge

    Forgery

    Result

    Dismissed

  • Shoplifting

    Charge

    Shoplifting

    Result

    Reduced

    A local pharmacist was charged with shoplifting at Walmart and could not afford to accept the plea offer of a suspended imposition of sentence, as it would re …

    Charge

    Shoplifting

    Result

    Reduced

    Image Image
    How Can a Theft and Larceny Lawyer Help Me?

    How Can a Theft and Larceny Lawyer in St. Louis, MO Help Me?

    We understand that good people find themselves in bad situations. Combs Waterkotte’s St. Louis, MO theft and larceny defense team is dedicated to defending our clients’ rights and achieving the best possible solution for them. As part of our legal representation, we will:

    • Listen to your side of the story
    • Conduct a full investigation into the theft charges against you, the nature of the allegations, and the incident in question
    • Help you understand the charges and evidence against you
    • Work with you to develop a legal defense strategy
    • Determine if your Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment or Sixth Amendment rights were violated
    • Examine witness reliability
    • Look for inconsistencies in the accuser’s story
    • Negotiate with prosecutors to have your charges reduced or dismissed
    • Defend you at trial if we have to, and challenge the jury on whether or not the prosecution has proved the charges beyond a reasonable doubt
    Image Image
    What Are Some Defense Strategies For Theft/Larceny Charges?

    What Are Some Defense Strategies For Theft/Larceny Charges in St. Louis and Missouri?

    The criminal defense attorneys at Combs Waterkotte have years of experience defending clients in St. Louis and throughout Missouri. Every case is different, each one with varying specifics that could alter a defense strategy, but some common defenses to theft/larceny include:

    • Belief of Ownership or Right: You aren’t accused of larceny by taking your own property, so if you have a good-faith belief that you own a piece of property or have a right to use it we may have a good larceny defense. This could be the case even if your belief is false or unreasonable.
    • Entrapment: Entrapment occurs when someone induces you, an innocent party, to commit a crime that you normally wouldn’t have committed. In order to claim entrapment, you must not have had any prior inclination to commit the crime, and must do so only on the enticement of the entrapping party. For example, if a police officer sets up a car with the keys in the ignition and just waits for someone to come up and attempt to steal it, no entrapment has taken place. However, if that police officer points out the car to you and encourages you to steal the car, you would have a strong argument in support of an entrapment defense.
    • Duress: You can claim that someone else forced you to commit theft or larceny through threats of force, blackmail, etc. If you can provide sufficient proof for this claim, the prosecution or jury may find that you did not act voluntarily and should bear no responsibility for the crime.
    Image Image
    Reach Out To a Theft/Larceny Attorney Today at Combs Waterkotte

    Reach Out To a Theft/Larceny Attorney in St. Louis, MO Today

    Choosing Combs Waterkotte ensures that you not only work with a criminal defense law firm in St. Louis, MO that will zealously fight on your behalf, but also will honestly and regularly communicate with you throughout the legal process. We have helped many people across the St. Louis, MO area minimize the damage criminal charges can have on their lives and allow them to put these difficult experiences behind them. Contact us or call (314) 900-HELP today for more information or to schedule a consultation.

    Our Record

    Image Image

    Impeccable Record
    of Success

    Impeccable Record of Success

    • Over 10,000 Cases Handled
    • Over 300 Five-Star Reviews
    • Multiple Major Media Appearances
    • Over Four Decades of Experience
    Meet Your Attorneys

    Featured and Latest News

    Open Video
    Image

    Featured Results:

    Client Review, DUI Case

    Play video
    Image

    Get In Touch:

    St. Louis

    Main Office

    (314) 900-HELP

    Get Directions

    Clayton

    By Appointment Only

    (314) 900-HELP

    Get Directions