Clarksville Theft Crimes Attorneys

Types of Theft

While shoplifting may be the first thought that comes to mind when imagining a case of theft, there are of course many different kinds. In Tennessee, theft can come in the form of property of services. In either case, something must change hands without the original owner’s consent.

Theft can be defined as:

• Property theft: This is the kind of theft that occurs when someone steals someone else’s physical property and takes it away without the owner knowing or agreeing to give it to them.
• Theft of services: When fraud or deception is involved, theft can become more complicated. This can include avoiding paying for services, misusing someone else’s property to take control of their services, or fleeing an establishment before paying.

Defending Against Theft Charges

There may be times when the other party calls the police on you for theft even though you didn’t commit any such act. You may have even mistakenly picked up property that wasn’t yours. Mistakes should not be a valid reason to drag a criminal record around for the rest of your life.

Some defenses against theft can include:

• Claim to ownership: You may have been accused of theft by someone who simply does not want you to have the property that is rightfully yours. If you can prove something could have reasonably seemed like it belonged to you, it may help you avoid a conviction.
• Returning the property: Sometimes, you can simply give the stolen property back as evidence that you did not intend to keep it permanently.
• Intoxication: In cases where you legitimately did not realize an item did not belong to you, demonstrating that you were not in your right mind may be able to exonerate you.