Theft

Possession of Stolen Property

Published on: May 24, 2023 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Possession of Stolen Property

Buying things online and through websites makes it easier than ever to find items that you need or want. Whether you are purchasing a new or used item, you will want to make sure that it is not stolen, or you could get into legal trouble. It is illegal to purchase or have stolen property in your possession. Unfortunately, sometimes you could face charges for stolen property that you did not take. If you are charged with possession of stolen property, you will want to fight the charges with help from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

What is Possession or Receipt of Stolen Goods?

Defending Larceny Charges in North Carolina

Published on: June 8, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question:”A past conviction is keeping me from finding work. What can I do?”

Larceny means the unlawful taking of someone else’s property with the intent to keep it from the owner permanently. Larceny by definition does not include the use of force. If force is used in the taking of property, the act becomes a more serious offense, such as robbery. Another word that you can often use interchangeably with larceny is theft. Theft can occur whether the property owner is present or not, as long as force is not used. Larceny may be a misdemeanor or felony based on some factors such as the dollar amount of the property taken.

What are the Most Common Juvenile Crimes?

Published on: May 25, 2022 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “As a parent, what should I be aware of when speaking to police about charges my child faces?”

https://youtu.be/PJbBSmvamxI?t=1

As a parent, you work hard to protect your children throughout their lives. Unfortunately, there may come a time when your child makes a mistake, an error in judgment, or is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. When a child under the age of 18 is charged with a crime, they are often considered a juvenile. Juvenile crimes are similar to adult crimes, but because they are committed by a minor, the consequences and penalties are different. In some cases, a juvenile might be charged as an adult, particularly when charged with a serious crime.

Breaking and Entering and Burglary in North Carolina

Published on: December 25, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte DWI Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “If I simply intend to plead guilty, why do I need a lawyer?”

Christmas came early for burglars in Charlotte. Two suspects stole Christmas gifts and cash in a recent armed home invasion in the city. The crime highlights the importance of taking security measures to protect your home ahead of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

What Happens if You Steal From a Retail Store in Charlotte, North Carolina?

Published on: November 20, 2019 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?”

North Carolina law recognizes theft as taking someone else’s property without their permission to permanently deprive the owner of the item. Theft, burglary, and shoplifting are serious crimes. Being charged with one of these crimes carries the risk of losing your freedom and facing other life-changing consequences.

Alaska Tries New Approach To Reduce Prison Population

Published on: January 31, 2017 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “Should I ever plead guilty to a charge?”

States across the country are wrestling with finding ways to deal with increasingly large prison populations. People on both side of the issue acknowledge that as the population of people incarcerated continues to swell it presents a multitude of challenges, some budgetary, some logistical, others societal. One approach advocated by many is to try and reverse the trend by reducing criminal penalties for a range of mainly low-level offenses. By reducing the number of crimes that result in time behind bars, you not only save money, but also hopefully address underlying issues through treatment and reduce recidivism.

Is Genuine Need Ever Justification For Committing Crime? In Italy, Maybe So

Published on: May 17, 2016 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Charlotte Criminal Lawyer Brad Smith answers the question: “The person that called the police doesn’t want to press charges, can I still be prosecuted?”

A man in Italy found himself in the odd situation of having a conviction overturned not because he didn’t do the crime, but because the court decided he shouldn’t have been punished for it in the first place. The case, oddly similar to the storyline of “Les Miserables”, has garnered substantial attention both in Italy and abroad, with experts debating whether the appellate court was right to throw out the conviction.

North Carolina Thieves Run Off With 13,000 Diapers

Published on: June 19, 2014 | On behalf of Arnold & Smith, PLLC

Attorney J. Bradley Smith answering the question: “What are the long term effects of being convicted of a crime?”

It’s pretty rare to hear about a police department dedicating resources to tracking down a person for stealing diapers. However, authorities in North Carolina say they are eagerly searching for the person who they say stole 13,000 diapers from the Diaper Bank of North Carolina earlier this month.

The nonprofit organization, based in Durham, provides diapers to needy families with young children. The founder of the organization says she went into the office on a Monday morning to pick up an order for a nearby homeless shelter when she noticed diapers strewn across the floor and many others missing.

Upon closer inspection, the director found that specific sizes of diapers were missing in large numbers. Apparently, diapers in sizes 4 and 5 are among the most popular because babies are often able to remain in those sizes for up to a year. As a result, they are in high demand from families and tough to keep in stock.

Beyond the theft of diapers from the homeless shelter, the director said that the thieves also knew to target a reserve room that holds extra diapers, something that no one outside immediate employees should ever have known about.