Have you been arrested for theft in Virginia? If so, you have every right to be concerned. Any theft charge, including shoplifting, burglary, robbery, or grand theft, could result in penalties including fines, restitution, and jail time.
Clearly, the consequences are serious. As such, you should not try to fight the theft charge yourself. Instead, identify and engage an experienced trial attorney to protect your rights and your freedom.
He understands the laws surrounding theft charges, knows the local prosecutors, and can skillfully guide you through the system, including representing you at trial if necessary.
Cody Villalon explores all options for your defense, whether negotiating a lesser charge or defending you before a jury. Contact him today at 804.316.0765 to get the help you need when facing theft charges.
Our Richmond Theft Defense Lawyer Fights for Your Rights
Why Call Cody Villalon?
Choosing a Richmond theft defense lawyer is the first, and perhaps most important, decision you must make if you are facing charges in Richmond. You want to work with a professional whose experience, knowledge, and approach to service meet your needs.
Many in Richmond in this position reach out to Cody Villalon for representation. With more than a decade of professional experience, Cody is well-versed in Virginia theft law. He has also developed a strong knowledge of the local legal system and built solid working relationships with prosecutors and judges.
As a solo practitioner Cody genuinely cares about his clients and works closely with each one, using a hands-on approach to building each defense. When you engage Cody Villalon, you get Cody Villalon — you will never be passed to another attorney.
Cody believes everyone charged with a crime deserves to have their rights protected by a skilled defense lawyer. It is the basis on which our legal system was built. He will be at your side throughout the proceedings, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and fighting hard to reduce or dismiss your theft charges.
Cody Villalon offers all potential clients a free consultation. Contact him today to schedule yours.
How Our Richmond Theft Defense Lawyer Can Help You
Cody Villalon Works Tirelessly on Your Behalf
Being charged with theft places you in a perilous position. Protecting your rights, building your defense, and safeguarding your future is a complex, multi-step process that requires significant knowledge and experience to do successfully. This is not something you should handle on your own. When you engage Cody Villalon as your Richmond theft defense attorney, you can rely on him to:
- Actively listen to your side of the story
- Identify any violations of legal procedures or your rights by police or prosecution
- Examine all the evidence including photographs or videos if available
- Personally interview any witnesses
- Carefully review the police reports to see if there were errors
- Complete and file all forms and document requests promptly
- Prepare you for all court appearances
- Negotiate and plea bargain with prosecutors for a lesser charge if appropriate
- Craft a solid defense
- Represent you at trial if need be.
As a dedicated defense lawyer, Cody Villalon understands your rights under the law. This includes your right to remain silent during police questioning or in court and your right to have an experienced defense attorney present when police want to ask you questions. Please refrain from responding to questions or providing statements regarding your case without your lawyer being present. You may say something that could weaken your case. Cody knows how to communicate to protect you.
Virginia Theft Laws
These Charges Are Serious
Whether the charges you are facing are for misdemeanor or felony theft, you must take them seriously. Even the consequences for a misdemeanor theft conviction can have a serious impact on your life. Below we have provided a brief overview of theft categories, along with potential sentences.
Larceny
Larceny is defined as the unauthorized taking of items or money from the owner without the owner’s consent and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the funds or property.
Punishment for grand larceny may include up to 20 years in prison, 12 months in jail, or a fine of up to $2,500. You may also be asked to make restitution, which means paying back the value of what you stole.
Petit larceny is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor, which means the maximum consequences include up to 12 months in jail and a fine of not more than $2,500.
Concealment and Shoplifting
Concealment is treated similarly to shoplifting in Virginia. Concealing merchandise on the store’s premises is evidence that you intend to take it. Having a shoplifting defense lawyer handle your case is wise.
Shoplifting and concealment may include any of the following:
- Willful concealment or taking possession of goods
- Price marking, such as altering a price tag
- Helping another person with the concealment of merchandise
- Helping another person pay less than the marked price of an item.
If the merchandise is worth more than $1,000 the crime can be charged as a felony with more serious consequences.
Breaking and Entering
The Commonwealth of Virginia defines breaking and entering, also known as “statutory burglary,” as the act of illicitly entering someone else’s home to commit a crime. If you’re facing such charges, a Richmond burglary defense lawyer can provide expert guidance.
However, entering a home intending to commit larceny, which means taking items but not taking them from a person, is a lesser felony charge. This may bring a punishment of 1–20 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
If you are armed while breaking and entering, the crime is automatically considered a Class 2 felony, with a prison term of 20 years to life.
Fraud
Criminal fraud in Virginia covers many distinct types of cases. According to Virginia law, types of criminal fraud include:
- Forgery
- Insurance fraud
- Workers’ comp fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Healthcare fraud
- Real estate fraud
- Bad checks
- Money laundering
- Counterfeiting
- Impersonating a police officer
- Identity theft
- False pretenses.
Fraud is the willful deception to obtain money or property from another party (a person, business, government, etc.). It may include false statements, deliberately misleading others to gain access to items or money, or changing records like health status, income records, or even your timesheet for work.
The penalties for fraud depend on the extent of the fraud, the value of anything stolen, and even your criminal record. Misdemeanor fraud can result in up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, while felony fraud can lead up to years in prison. Consulting with a Richmond fraud defense lawyer can provide clarity on potential penalties and defense strategies.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is the fraudulent and wrongful use, concealment, or disposal of money (including checks, bills, receipts, or credit cards) that the individual received on behalf of another based on that individual’s position of trust, job, or office. If you find yourself facing such allegations, consulting an embezzlement lawyer can be crucial.
Frequently, embezzlement involves employee theft or theft by an individual responsible for handling property or money.
How to Fight a Theft Charge in Virginia
An Overview of Common Defense Strategies
Cody Villalon takes care to understand all of the details of your case as well as what occurred upon your arrest. This information is used in building your defense. While the tactics we take are based upon the unique circumstances of your situation, some of the defense strategies we leverage include:
- Proving a lack of evidence
- Noting that you did not have the items or money in your possession at the time of your arrest
- Identifying police errors, including violations of your rights
- Illustrating a lack of suspicion or probable cause
- Noting extenuating circumstances.
To learn more about the strategies that may be effective in fighting your charges, schedule a no-cost consultation with Mr. Villalon. Once he has a better understanding of what happened and how law enforcement reacted, he can share how he would approach your case.
FAQs About Theft Charges
Our Richmond Theft Charges Lawyer Answers Common Questions
If you have been arrested and charged with theft, it’s likely that you have a lot of questions. Below, we have shared a few of the more general concerns raised by our clients, along with our Richmond theft defense attorney’s answers:
Can I get my theft case dropped?
Perhaps. While not every theft case may be dismissed, this is usually our first option for your defense. Mistakes by police or prosecution, violations of your rights, or the inability to prove the charges against you may result in dismissal. If we are unable to achieve this initial goal, we will work to build a strong defense on your behalf.
What happens after I am arrested for theft?
A preliminary hearing or an arraignment is often the first action post arrest. This requires that you appear in court to learn about the charges against you as well as the associated penalties. At this point, if you have not hired a theft defense lawyer, you will have the opportunity to do so.
Can I simply pay back what I stole and go free?
Likely no. While restitution (paying the theft back) may be part of your sentence, simply returning what you stole will not absolve you of your theft charges. You should speak with a Richmond theft defense lawyer about building a defense to protect your future.
These are just a few of the questions regarding robbery, theft, and burglary charges that we hear most often. Contact Richmond theft defense lawyer Cody Villalon for more specific answers to questions regarding your personal situation.
Control What You Can
Engage a Reputable Richmond Theft Defense Lawyer
The state of Virginia takes the crime of theft seriously; those that take advantage of others face significant penalties that may impact their future as well as that of their family.
Cody Villalon provides his clients with nonjudgmental, high-quality legal services. He recognizes that people make mistakes and believes that everyone deserves excellence in legal representation. He will take time to understand the charges against you, as well as the reasons why you found yourself in this specific position. Based on the information you provide and evidence he collects and reviews, he will determine the best strategy to take to protect your future.
Contact Us Today
If you have been arrested, time is a valuable commodity. You want to engage legal representation right away — your future is at stake. Cody Villalon appreciates the urgency of your needs and is available to meet with you immediately. He carefully manages his caseload to ensure he can personally represent you through every stage of your case.
Contact him today at 804.316.0765 to schedule a free consultation and learn how he can help you.
DEFENSE ATTORNEY CODY VILLALON
Cody Villalon is a criminal defense attorney in Richmond, VA representing clients accused of violent offenses and DUIs, and he specializes in serious criminal charges. He possesses more than 10 years of legal experience, has defended more than 1,000 cases, and has spent more than 5,000 hours in court. He is highly professional and well-respected by prosecutors and judges. [ Attorney Bio ]
