1839 S. Alma School Road
Suite 264
Mesa, Arizona 85210
(480) 374-8747
(602) 357-8606 (espanol)
177 N. Church Ave
Suite 312
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 468-6668
(602) 357-8606(espanol)

Theft Crimes - Introduction

(The content below was transcribed from an interview done with Acacia Law. We think you'll find it much easier
and more enjoyable to read this way.)

Interviewer: I am here again today with an attorney from Acacia Law Group As a reminder he's a criminal defense attorney in the Phoenix metropolitan area in Arizona. He tends to deal with cases in Tempe, Mesa, Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Fountain Hills, Mesa, all over the place. How are you doing again?

Acacia Law: I'm doing well and I guess I ought to also include that we also have an office and I operate out of Pima County, we have an office in Tucson, Arizona and we do Statewide services. Basically I've been in pretty much every single court in the entire state.

Interviewer: I left that out, apologies. So today we're going to talk about the umbrella word
“theft” and things like shoplifting, larceny, petty larceny, grand theft and all these associated crimes, associated with stealing stuff, is that right?

Acacia Law: Yes, absolutely. One of the more common crime set essentially is on the books and comes in at a high rate, is what are called the theft crimes. Theft is actually a very large category. It can range from anything from theft of means of transportation, which would be car theft, all the way down to somebody utilizing somebody else's credit card without their knowledge or consent, which is essentially taking the identity of another. However, both of those statutory charges fall under the same sub-heading.

They may sound dis-similar, but in fact they are a form of theft. When you take the identity of another person for example, you are presenting yourself as someone else, for a benefit. Usually a monetary benefit, and so essentially you've taken from that person.

In addition, whoever you are misrepresenting yourself to, whether it be a store or another person, you are taking from them as well. Because they are relying on you truthfully saying who you are. In fact you are not that person and are losing something. Because essentially what will happen normally is that someone's going to figure out that they were stolen from and you'll have two victims here, actually, oftentimes.

Interviewer: Okay

Acacia Law: Theft also covers something that some people I think are under the impression that is relatively minor, but is actually treated fairly seriously in the State of Arizona, which is shoplifting. Oftentimes, even a tiny item, it does not matter even if it's a candy bar, it equates with anything up to approximately $250. It all falls within the same statute and that is misdemeanor theft, shoplifting. Which is a class one misdemeanor, and carries up to six months in jail and $2,500 fine. Most people are surprised to hear the level of penalties.