Accusations of theft can be difficult to overcome, especially if you were found with the property in question on you. Unfortunately, it can be tough to prove that you’re not guilty for all they’re accusing you of.
When you’re facing these charges, you’ll need a proper defense for your case in order to avoid penalties that could haunt you for years afterward. Fortunately, there are a few possible defenses against theft charges.
Each case is different, so you’ll need to contact your lawyer about your best defenses for these charges. Even so, the following defenses are just a few of the options your lawyer may have for you.
You’re the Rightful Owner
One of the simplest defenses is that you’re the rightful owner of the property in question. The other person may have had second thoughts about selling the property, or they may have not intended to lose ownership of that property.
However, you may be the rightful owner, or you may have genuinely believed that they had sold or given the property to you. In these cases, you’ll need to focus on showing that you didn’t intend to steal the items in question.
Because you didn’t intend to steal the items in question, your case may be dismissed on those grounds. Genuinely believing you were the owner can be enough to have your charges dropped.
Intoxication Defenses
Claiming that you were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the incident may not sound like a strong defense against theft charges. However, it may help you get your charges reduced or dismissed entirely.
If you’re intoxicated, you may not be completely in control of your faculties, and you may not have intended to steal anything. Because you didn’t have the intent to steal, you may not be held responsible for the incident.
For example, when you’re intoxicated, you may not have realized that the item wasn’t simply yours. You may have grabbed someone else’s bag when leaving. You didn’t intend to steal it, since you weren’t sober enough to intend to steal it. You were also too intoxicated to recognize it wasn’t yours, which may help you defend yourself.
Defend Your Case with a Lawyer’s Help
When you’re accused of theft, it can be tough to recover. You’ve been accused of a serious crime, and you’ll need help rebounding from that. Fortunately, you’ll have a chance to defend your case with the help of a theft lawyer from Chicago Trusted Attorneys.
You’ll need to know your best defenses against theft charges, which is tough on your own. You may find information about general defenses, but each case is unique. That’s why you’ll need to reach out for help to get the right defense for your stealing case.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’re ready to help. To begin, give us a call at 312-931-5411 or visit us online for more information.