St. Louis Property Crimes Charges Attorneys

Last updated on February 3, 2025

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.

Penalties For Property Crimes

Property crimes are treated seriously in Missouri, with penalties depending on the nature and severity of the offense. These crimes include:

• Theft: This is unlawfully taking someone’s property with the intent to deprive them of it permanently. In St. Louis, theft penalties are graded based on the value of the stolen property. If the value is less than $750, the crime is classified as a misdemeanor, which can result in up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the value exceeds $750, the crime becomes a felony, punishable by up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.
• Burglary: This involves breaking into a building or structure with the intent to steal. In St. Louis, burglary is classified into first, second or third degrees. First-degree burglary (breaking into a home with intent to commit a crime) is a Class A felony, punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison. Second and third-degree burglary involves entering a nonresidential building unlawfully and is a Class D felony, carrying penalties of one to seven years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
• Vandalism: This involves damaging or defacing someone else’s property without consent. The severity of the penalty depends on the extent of the damage. If the damage is valued at under $750, it is a Class A misdemeanor, which can lead to up to one year in jail and no more than $2000 fines. If the damage exceeds $750, the charge is elevated to a felony, with penalties of one to seven years in prison.
• Arson: This is the intentional setting of fire to property. In St. Louis, arson can be charged as a first or second-degree felony, depending on whether it involves endangering lives or causing significant property damage. First-degree arson is a Class A felony, with penalties of 10 to 30 years in prison. Second-degree arson, for lesser acts of property damage, is a Class B felony, punishable by five to 15 years in prison.

In addition to prison time, those convicted of property crimes may face fines, restitution and a permanent criminal record, which can impact employment and other aspects of life. If you have been accused of a property crime in St. Louis, our lawyers at KesslerWilliams can help you fight the potential charges.

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.