St. Charles Theft Crimes Attorney

Unyielding Representation to Protect Your Future

Theft is an umbrella term referring to any offense that involves taking another's property without their express permission. There are varying levels of theft crimes, all of which can carry serious penalties and leave you with a permanent criminal record. Our St. Charles theft crime attorneys at Brockmeyer Law Offices have 65 years of combined experience and have represented clients against all types of theft-related offenses. We are prepared to put our experience to work for you.

What Is Considered Theft in Missouri?

Though stealing something from a store might be the first crime that comes to mind when you think of theft, it doesn't only involve shoplifting. Theft can also occur if you steal someone’s identity or fail to pay for a service.

Under MO Rev Stat §570.030, a person commits a theft crime when they take services or property from another with the intent of doing so through coercion or deceit. Theft crimes range in severity and the penalties depend on the value of the property that was taken.

What Are the Classifications of Theft?

Theft crimes are divided into the following classes:

• Class A misdemeanor theft: When the stolen property is valued at less than $500.
• Class B felony theft: When the stolen property is valued at $25,000 or more.
• Class C felony theft: When the stolen property is valued between $500 and $25,000 or is a certain type of item (including but not limited to motor vehicles, firearms, credit cards, and livestock)

Burglary & Robbery in Missouri

Burglary and robbery are other serious theft crimes. Robbery is a class B felony wherein a person forcibly steals items from another, regardless of the value of items stolen.

Burglary is a crime committed by entering a building with the intent to steal from the occupant and is a class C felony (unless the offender is armed or threatens injury, in which case it is a Class B felony).

What Are The Penalties for Robbery in Missouri?

There are two elements of robbery: first-degree and second-degree robbery.

First-Degree Robbery

First-degree robbery entails the stealing of property and simultaneously committing any of the following:

• Threatening to harm another person
• Harming another person
• Possession of a deadly weapon
• Threatening the use of a deadly weapon
• The use of a deadly weapon
• Stealing a controlled substance from a pharmacy