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Maine Theft Lawyer

Have you been accused of theft? The path ahead may seem uncertain and complicated, making it hard to see how you could come out unharmed. You might be worried about how a criminal charge could affect your future and your freedom. However, David J. Bobrow Office of Law, LLC, understands what you are going through, and we are here to fight for you. As an award-winning criminal defense firm based in Maine, we have successfully defended clients against theft and property crime charges. Our mission is to protect your rights, future, and peace of mind.

If you have been charged with theft, don’t face it alone. A skilled theft defense lawyer from our office can make all the difference in your case. Below, we walk through the key parts of Maine’s theft laws, the possible punishments, and how we can help.

Types of Crimes Against Property in Maine

Maine’s theft laws cover many offenses that  are crimes against property, including:

  • Theft by unauthorized taking or transfer. This theft happens when someone takes or  controls another person’s property without permission and with the intent to keep the owner from having or using the property.
  • Theft by deception. This theft happens when someone lies to get or control another person’s property with the intent to keep the owner from having or using the property.
  • Theft by extortion. This happens when someone threatens to harm someone to get or control an owner’s property with the intent to keep them from having or using the property.
  • Theft of lost, mislaid, or misdelivered property. This crime happens when someone keeps property they know belongs to someone else while failing to take reasonable steps to return the property and with the intent to keep the owner from having or using the property.
  • Theft by receiving stolen property. This crime happens when someone keeps, receives, or throws away another person’s property while knowing it was stolen and intending to keep the owner from having or using the property.
  • Theft of services. This crime happens when someone gets services through lying, force, or other ways to avoid paying for the services.

As you can see, small details in a case can make a big difference between a theft conviction and walking away as a free person. When you hire a theft lawyer from our firm, you receive a customized legal approach to downplay any unfavorable facts and highlight the favorable facts in your case.

Possible Punishments for Theft Crimes in Maine

There are many types of theft crimes in Maine, and there are many types of punishments. We can help protect you against them all.

The harshness of a theft crime punishment depends on the value of the property involved and the specific facts of the case. Maine theft crimes generally fall into classes B, C, D, and E. The following punishments apply to these classes of crime:

  • Class E—conviction of one of these crimes can include a punishment of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000;
  • Class D—conviction of one of these crimes can include a punishment of less than one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000;
  • Class C—conviction of one of these crimes can include a punishment of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000; and
  • Class B—conviction of one of these crimes can include a punishment of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

A conviction for theft can have life-changing consequences. These consequences can include financial, professional, and personal setbacks. With proven defense strategies, a property crimes attorney from our office can help avoid or reduce any punishment you might face after a theft accusation.

Possible Defenses Against Theft Charges

Every case is unique. A  theft defense lawyer from our office can carefully review the facts of your case to figure out the best way to protect you. Some common defenses against theft charges include:

  • Lack of intent—this typically involves proving that you did not intend to keep the property from the owner;
  • Mistaken identity—you must prove that you were not the person who committed the crime;
  • Ownership disputes—this involves showing that you believed in good faith that the property was yours or that you had a right to claim it; and
  • Insufficient evidence—you can highlight the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.

We can also work to reduce punishments by proving that the property was worth less than the prosecution claims.

How a Theft Defense Lawyer Can Help

Navigating Maine’s complex legal system can be hard and have many twists and turns. But we can guide you through the maze of a criminal case and help protect you from unnecessary punishment. 

A skilled defense lawyer from our firm can:

  • Investigate your case. We can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and build a strong defense for you.
  • Negotiate on your behalf. If you want a plea deal, we can work with prosecutors to reduce charges or get you alternative sentencing options.
  • Block unfavorable evidence from trial. We can investigate and find all evidence that the prosecution got illegally or that shouldn’t be presented at trial and try to prevent it from being shown to the judge or jury.
  • Represent you in court. We can aggressively fight for your rights at trial.

At our office, we work hard to defend people accused of crimes against property. We take the time to understand your story and give you personal and compassionate representation. With our years of experience and dedication, we work hard to get you the best possible outcome.

Protect Your Freedom Today

If you or a loved one is facing a theft charge in Maine, you need to act quickly. Our office can swiftly safeguard your rights. We are award-winning and have years of experience. Our firm serves the good people of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Contact us today for a confidential consultation. You can call us now or reach out to us online—because everyone deserves a good defense.

Resource List

Maine Revised Statutes, §361, link.