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KesslerWilliams is the criminal defense law firm you need to succeed in the courtroom.

St. Louis Property Crimes Charges Attorneys

If convicted of a property crime, you stand to suffer much more than a criminal penalty. You stand to lose your job, your educational opportunities and your reputation within your community. The proactive, aggressive defense that KesslerWilliams provides can protect your future and your freedom. Our team of three criminal defense attorneys brings decades of combined legal experience to defending the people of Missouri and Illinois from serious charges.

Property Crimes: What To Know

The term property crime covers a large swath of criminal activities that involve taking or damaging another individual or entity’s property. Some of the most common property crimes that we handle include:

  • Robbery
  • Burglary
  • Larceny
  • Auto theft
  • Shoplifting
  • Breaking and entering
  • Vandalism
  • Arson

The penalties vary widely depending on the type of offense, the value of the property in question and your prior criminal record. Committing a crime with a weapon carries a much heavier sentence than without. The higher the value of the property, the more severe the consequences.

Let’s look at the crime of stealing as an example. In Missouri, a charge of stealing can be classified anywhere from a Class D misdemeanor all the way to a Class A felony, depending on the circumstances. To get a Class D misdemeanor theft charge – according to the statute – one would have to have stolen something that did not appear on any of four different lists, did not exceed $150 in value and did not have any criminal record.

Having a criminal record or exceeding $150 will make that same stealing charge eligible for a Class A misdemeanor. From there, all charges become felonies, for a stealing charge becomes felonies. But what does that mean?

Misdemeanors generally mean you would spend less than one year incarcerated for the criminal charge. Missouri has four classes of misdemeanors, which carry these penalties:

  • Class A: No more than one year incarcerated, no more than $2000 in fines.
  • Class B: No more than six months incarcerated, no more than $1000 in fines.
  • Class C: No more than 15 days incarcerated, no more than $700 in fines.
  • Class D: No more than $500 in fines.

There are also unclassified misdemeanors that carry unique sentencing in the code. Felonies similarly fall into five classes:

  • Class A: Between 10 and 30 years in prison or a life sentence
  • Class B: Between five and 15 years in prison
  • Class C: Between three and 10 years in prison
  • Class D: No more than seven years in prison
  • Class E: No more than four years in prison

And to reiterate, the range of potential sentences for a stealing charge can go from the most minor charge to the most serious. It all comes down to the circumstances.

Why Rely On Us?

You have a vast selection of criminal defense law firms in the St. Louis area to hire. Why place your trust in KesslerWilliams? Many reasons, including:

  • Our aggressive approach to your case.
  • Our experience defending a variety of charges.
  • Our reasonable rates and free consultations.
  • Our honest expectations we provide.

From negotiating plea bargains to appearing in court, we are devoted to securing the most favorable outcomes we can – and we do not settle for anything less.

Ask Us About Protecting Your Rights – Free Consults

Do not underestimate the severity of a property crime charge. Instead, seek counsel from our defense lawyers immediately. To begin, schedule a free consultation by calling 314-720-5476 or by using our online contact form.