Theft Crimes
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Stealing and Related Offenses in Missouri

St. Louis Theft Crime Lawyer

In the state of Missouri, the crime of stealing is covered under Chapter 570, Stealing and Related Offenses, Section 570.030 of the Missouri Revised Statues. Under ยง570.030 1., a person commits the crime of stealing when he or she takes the property or services of another with the intention of depriving him or her without his or her consent, or through deceit or coercion.

Under Missouri law, stealing is an umbrella term that not only refers to taking someone's personal property without their consent, but it can also refer to taking goods or services without properly paying for them. The concept of stealing under local state laws includes any of the following situations:

  • When someone fails or even refuses to pay for the services of a restaurant, or a hotel, or an inn or a boarding house.
  • When someone pays for the services of a hotel, or a restaurant or an inn or a boarding house and their check is refused.
  • When a person surreptitiously removes or attempts to remove their baggage from a hotel or an inn, or a boarding house.
  • When a person, with the intent of cheating or defrauding a retailer does any of the following: 1) alters a price tag, 2) alters a receipt, or 3) alters a universal price code label.

In the following situations, the offense is classified as a Class C felony:

  • The value of the property or services stolen is worth more than $500 but less than $25,000; or
  • The suspect physically takes the property from the victim; or
  • The property stolen is a motor vehicle, watercraft or aircraft; or
  • The property taken is a will or unrecorded deed affecting real property; or
  • The item stolen is a credit card or letter of credit; or
  • A firearm; or
  • An explosive weapon; or
  • A United States national flag intended for the display on a building or stationary flagstaff in the open; or
  • A book of registration or list of voters; or
  • Any animal considered livestock among other items covered under this section.

When the goods or services appropriated are valued at $25,000 or more, it is classified as a Class B felony offense. Otherwise, any violation under this section in which there is no other penalty specified, then it will count as a Class A misdemeanor offense.

Penalties for Theft Crimes

The penalties for a Class C felony are a term of imprisonment not to exceed 7 years, and a fine not to exceed $5,000. For a Class B felony, the term of imprisonment shall range between 5 and 15 years. For a Class A misdemeanor offense, it shall involve a maximum jail term of one year and a maximum fine of $1,000.

About Burglary & Robbery Charges

Burglary - This crime is committed when a person enters a building or habitation with the intent to commit a crime therein. A second degree offense is considered a class C felony. If the offender is armed, causes or threatens injury, or if there is a person present in the structure where the offender intended to commit a crime, it is a class B felony.

Robbery - A person commits robbery by forcibly stealing from another person. This is a class B felony. However, if they use threats (including the threatening display of something that appears to be a weapon), are armed, or cause injury, then it is robbery in the first degree and is a class A felony.

Contact a St. Louis Theft Crime Lawyer Today!

In a weakened economy, sometimes it's not uncommon for desperate people to do things they wouldn't normally do. Even if you had a momentary lapse in judgment or if you're being wrongfully accused, in neither case should you be forced to endure the full wrath of the Missouri criminal justice system.

At The Sumner Law Group we care about you, your future and your family. We understand the predicament that you are in and want nothing more than to help you achieve a highly favorable outcome in the charges against you. As your law firm, it is our responsibility to ensure that the prosecutor and the judge hear your side of the story loud and clear and that we humanize you and your circumstances. Let us be your tireless advocate during the criminal process, and let us aggressively pursue a reduction of charges if not an acquittal!

Why Choose The Sumner Law Group, LLC?

  • We Fight Relentlessly to Obtain Favorable Case Results
  • Former Defense Counsel for Insurance Companies
  • Vast Experience Representing Clients in State and Federal Courts
  • Creative Strategies, Sound Legal Knowledge, and Compassionate Client Relations