Are you facing Theft Charges?
As criminal lawyers we regularly appear at all Melbourne Courts representing clients charged with theft offences.
We have offices in Melbourne, Ballarat, Ringwood, Frankston, Geelong, Werribee, Dandenong and Moorabbin. We regularly appear at the courts in all of these locations.
Apart from the fact that the judiciary treat these charges very seriously, theft charges always have serious repercussions in relation to a person’s record. A criminal record can make it very difficult to find employment in the future.
There are many different types of theft charges. You can look to the right of this page to view the Victorian State offence in relation to theft being s74 of the Crimes Act, there is also the Commonwealth charge of theft unders s131.1 of the Criminal Code for dishonesty matters crossing state borders, then there are more serious examples of theft relating to burglary and aggravated burglary. It is not unusual for police to charge more than one of the these charges, so advice is always important.
What is the penalty for theft?
In Victoria it really depends on the nature of the charge and the amount stolen, for small thefts, diversion, or a without conviction good behaviour bond are in range, for larger thefts involving tens of thousands of dollars, an immediate custodial sentence becomes a real possibility. Where your offence fits into the sentencing scale is something that needs to be discussed with an experienced lawyer that handles theft cases.
Questions to consider in relation to theft charges;
- Are you eligible for Diversion?
- How much was stolen? This can have a huge impact on your sentence.
- Can you avoid a conviction in relation to the charge?
- Do you have a defence?
To answer these questions you need to engage the services of an experienced criminal lawyer.
Every case is different. Given the very serious ramifications it is vital that you contact lawyers who care about getting you the best outcome.
Dribbin & Brown criminal lawyers regularly represent clients charged with theft, so if you have been charged with this offences, don’t hesitate to contact our office today.