Stealing is stealing, but even a judge can recognize that stealing a pack of gum is not the same as stealing a person’s fine art or family jewels. Because of this, the court systems categorize different types of theft and applies punishments accordingly. That said, whether you were charged with a misdemeanor or felony theft in Indiana, you should retain the help of an Indianapolis criminal defense attorney to help fight the charges. A criminal conviction of any kind will go on your record and has the potential to negatively impact your future.

Differences Between Misdemeanor and Felony Theft

Indiana’s theft laws can be found under section § 35-43-4-1 et seq. According to the code, theft is classified as either petty theft or grand theft in The Hoosier State. Petty theft involves stolen goods that value less than $500, while grand theft is usually reserved for property that totals more than $750. A judge may use the following guide to sentence a thief in Indiana:

• For stolen property valued at less than $750, the defendant may be convicted of a Class A misdemeanor and be sentenced to up to one year in jail and fined up to $5,000.
• For stolen property valued at between $750 and $50,000, the defendant may be convicted of a Level 6 felony and be sentenced to up to two and half years in jail and fined up to $10,000.
• For stolen property valued at $50,000 or more, the defendant may be convicted of a Level 5 felony and be sentenced up to six years in prison and fined up to $10,000.

Your Defense to Theft in Indiana

Whether you were charged with petty or grand theft in Indiana, don’t take chances by trying to fight the charges on your own. Instead, retain the help of an experienced Indianapolis criminal defense attorney. An experienced attorney can fight on your behalf to reduce the charges or, in the best-case scenario, have the charges dropped entirely. Either outcome would be better than serving months to years in jail and having to pay thousands of dollars in fines that you cannot afford. Contact Potts Law, LLC, for more information and a free consultation. Call (317) 951-0087 OR toll free at 1-888-951-0087. You can also fill out the online contact form.