Retail Theft Shoplifting Defense Westport, CT
Westport, Connecticut Criminal Defense Attorneys Concentrate on Shoplifting Charges
Connecticut Criminal Defense Law Firm Provides Aggressive Defense
In Connecticut, retail theft and shoplifting are forms of larceny. You can be charged with larceny if you take property from someone else without his consent and with the intention of permanently keeping it from him. Although larceny in Connecticut can involve almost any nonviolent theft of property, each incident of larceny can involve six separate levels of severity, according to the value of the property taken:
- First degree larceny (grand larceny) – above $20,000
- Second degree larceny – above $10,000
- Third degree larceny – above $2,000
- Fourth degree larceny – above $1,000
- Fifth degree larceny – above $500
- Sixth degree larceny (petty larceny) – below $500
There are also special categories of property, including motor vehicles, scientific, and technical property that carry different degrees of monetary value. If you have been convicted of larceny in Connecticut twice before, the state's Persistent Larceny Offender laws might apply to your case. These laws are intended to combat reoffending by enhancing penalties for defendants who demonstrate a pattern of resistance to rehabilitation, and are imposed on eight classes of repeat offenders:
- Dangerous felony offenders
- Dangerous sexual offenders
- Serious felony offenders
- Serious sexual offenders
- Felony offenders
- Bigotry or biased offenders
- Stalking and harassment-related offenders
- Larceny offenders
Persistent larceny offenders who are awaiting sentencing for 4th, 5th, or 6th degree larceny and have two separate, prior larceny convictions may receive the sentence reserved for a Class D felony, one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
If you have been charged with larceny in Westport, Connecticut, the criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark M. Kratter, LLC will formulate proven defenses applicable to your case. Contact our firm online or call 203-678-8135 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our experienced retail theft defense attorneys today.
