Knoxville Theft Crimes Lawyers

Fighting for Those Accused of Theft in Tennessee

Theft crimes are any type of offense involving the stealing of someone else’s property or services. It is an act of appropriation without the owner or service provider’s consent. Theft in such cases can range from simple shoplifting of articles from a retail store to auto theft and the theft of thousands of dollars of goods or services. Charges of theft can lead to serious consequences that can not only lead to criminal penalties but the loss of your good name in social circles, at work, and in future opportunities. You need aggressive and dedicated legal representation to give you the best chance of a positive outcome.

If you or someone you know has been accused of any kind of theft in or around greater Knoxville, you can rely on The Bosch Law Firm, P.C. for the representation you will need. With more than 85 years of combined legal experience that involves defending those accused of theft, we have a strong track record of legal accomplishment. Our criminal defense attorneys will ensure that your legal rights are protected as soon as we come onboard and will work diligently to explore all legal possibilities in your defense. Facing the criminal justice system can be a fearful proposition; you will need someone in your corner whose sole purpose is to protect and defend your rights and pursue your best interests throughout the legal process.

Facing theft charges in Knoxville? The Bosch Law Firm, P.C. is available at (865) 225-6466. Call for a free, initial consultation or request one online.

Various Types of Theft in Tennessee

Theft can be conducted in different ways. The following are various kinds of theft under Tennessee and federal law:

• Forgery
• Shoplifting
• Armed robbery
• Burglary
• Larceny
• Petty theft
• Grand theft
• Embezzlement
• Car/vehicle theft

Theft of property occurs when you knowingly take control of another’s property against that person’s permission. Theft of services occurs when you use fraud or deception to gain the services without paying for them. An example of theft of services would be dining at a restaurant and leaving without paying the bill.

Like other states, Tennessee categorizes theft according to the property or services value. This works out as the following:

• Theft of $500 or less: Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of $2,500.
• Theft of $500 up to $1,000: Class E felony punishable by one up to six years in prison and fine of up to $3,000.
• Theft of $1,000 up to $10,000: Class D felony punishable by two up to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
• Theft of $10,000 up to $60,000: Class C felony punishable by three up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Theft of more than $60,000: Class B felony punishable by eight up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

Penalties may be increased in cases where you have a prior criminal history which would involve being referred to as “multiple offender” or a “career offender.”

Tennessee Forgery Laws

Forgery is a white collar crime that you may have heard of before. A form of forgery is the creation or alteration of written material, therefore making it false and fraudulent. Tennessee law makes it illegal to forge a document in order to commit fraud against another party. A person who is convicted of forging something intentionally or accidentally can face significant penalties if convicted, which can include jail time. Those facing these serious charges can seek the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to build a strong defense.

According to Tennessee law, forgery is creating, altering, completing, executing, or authenticating something in writing to make it appear as if it was:

• The act was created or executed by somebody who wasn't authorized to do so.
• Produced at the wrong time or location, or in a wrong sequence.
• Copies of originals that never existed.

Further, in Tennessee, forgery charges can be filed for the following:

• A fake writing is issued, published, passed, or transferred.
• The act of possessing a forged document to make it appear as a copy of the original.
• Falsely entering information into records.

Tennessee law recognizes that the term "writing" can include printed documents or any other type of recording or seal, such as copyrights, trademarks, money, and more. Forgery involves duplicating another individual's signature, like on a check. To obtain medication, forging a physician's signature on a prescription is another example. An example of art forgery is writing the artist's name on a piece of artwork so that it appears to be an original or genuine copy.

Other Penalties

Other penalties may apply in theft cases involving shoplifting. In these cases, you may face civil charges from the store owner or merchandise seller. How much you would have to pay in penalties will depend on the condition of what was stolen. If merchandise is not returned or is returned in a damaged state, you may be required to pay $100 or three times the damages depending on the circumstances.

Dedicated Legal Representation from The Bosch Law Firm, P.C.

Our firm provides complex and aggressive defense legal service backed by more than 85 years of combined experience. Our resources include experienced investigators, assistance from top local and national experts as needed in each situation, and cutting edge approaches to resolving your case. We will exhaust all legal paths to help you reach the best possible outcome.

Talk to a Knoxville theft crime attorney about your investigation or charges in a free, initial consultation. Contact us at (865) 225-6466 today.