Theft defense attorney Cody Villalon has over a decade of experience representing people accused of all types of theft, fighting for the rights of each client in a court of law. He understands the laws surrounding theft charges, knows the local prosecutors, and can skillfully guide you through the system.
Cody Villalon explores all options for your defense, whether negotiating a lesser charge or defending you before a jury. Call our team today at 804.316.0765 to get the help you need when facing theft charges.
Our Richmond Theft Defense Lawyer Fights for Your Rights
Have you been arrested and now facing a theft charge in Virginia? Any theft charge, including shoplifting, burglary, robbery, or grand theft, could bring serious consequences. Penalties include fines, restitution, and jail time.
With penalties this severe, you should not try to fight the theft charge yourself. Instead, choose an experienced attorney for theft arrests to help fight for your rights and protect your freedom.
Why Call Cody Villalon?
As a solo Richmond theft defense lawyer, Cody genuinely cares about his clients and works closely with each one, using a hands-on approach to the case. You will never be handed off to another lawyer. Instead, you will benefit from working with a theft defense lawyer you know and trust.
Cody believes everyone charged with a crime deserves to have their rights protected with a skilled defense. He will be beside you throughout the proceedings, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and fighting hard to reduce or dismiss your theft charges.
Cody Villalon offers a free consultation for your case. Call today at 804.316.0765 and take the first step toward defending your rights.
How Your Theft Defense Lawyer Can Help You
Virginia theft laws can be quite strict. Some types of theft, such as shoplifting or theft from another person of less than $1,000, are misdemeanors called petit larceny.
Other types of theft are felonies, which may lead to jail or prison. These can include:
- Grand larceny– Theft of money or property valued at over $1,000 or theft directly from another person of more than a $5 value.
- Embezzlement – theft from your employer, can be a felony or a misdemeanor
- Breaking and entering– Any break-in to a home or business.
- Felony fraud– there are many types of fraud in the criminal code
Having a shoplifting defense lawyer represent you may determine whether you are convicted of petit larceny or grand larceny.
What Our Theft Defense Lawyer Will Do for You
When you have Cody Villalon on your side, he will:
- Hear your side of what happened to understand the circumstances.
- Examine all the evidence to determine how to plan your defense.
- Look for any violations of legal procedures or your rights by police or prosecution.
- Carefully examine the police reports to see if there were errors.
- Prepare you beforehand for all court appearances so that you will understand what to expect.
- Advise you against doing or saying anything that will harm your case.
- File all forms and document requests promptly.
- Make sure all terms of court appearances are met.
- Negotiate and plea bargain with prosecutors for a lesser charge.
- Craft a solid defense and take your case to trial if necessary.
As an experienced attorney for theft arrest, 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 attorney present when police want to ask you questions.
FAQs About Theft Charges
Our Richmond Theft Charges Lawyer Answers Common Questions
Do you have pressing theft charge questions? Our Richmond theft defense attorney has answers:
Not every theft case may get dropped, although this is usually our first option for your defense. If there was a mistake by police or prosecution, your rights were violated, or the Commonwealth of Virginia cannot prove the charges, your case may be dropped.
A preliminary hearing or an arraignment is often the first thing that happens. In this step, you appear in court to learn what charges you face and the penalties of each. At this point, if you have not hired a theft defense lawyer, then you will have the opportunity to do so.
Often, no. While restitution (paying the theft back) may be part of your sentence, simply returning what you stole will not cancel out your theft charges.
These are just a few of the top questions surrounding robbery, theft, and burglary charges. If you have additional questions we did not answer on this page, contact reputable Richmond theft defense lawyer Cody Villalon for help today.
Our Theft Attorney Explains Virginia Theft Laws and Charges
Several types of theft may have other penalties. Your theft lawyer will explain whether your crime was a misdemeanor or a felony. An experienced attorney for theft arrests may be able to have your charge reduced to a lesser felony class or from a felony to a misdemeanor.
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 deprive the owner of the funds or property permanently.
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. That is why having a shoplifting defense lawyer handle your case is helpful.
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 $1000 the crime can be charged as a felony
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.
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 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.
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, manner of job, or office.
Frequently, embezzlement involves employee theft or theft by an individual responsible for handling property or money.
How to Fight a Theft Charge in Virginia: Defense Strategies We Use to Fight Charges
Depending on your circumstances, our theft defense lawyer may use one, several, or all of the following strategies to protect your rights and mitigate your charges:
- Arguing that there is a lack of evidence.
- Noting that you did not have the items or money in your possession at the time of your arrest.
- Pointing out police errors.
- Arguing that there was a lack of suspicion or probable cause.
- Noting that there were extenuating circumstances.
To learn more about the strategies that may be effective in fighting your charges, schedule a consultation.
Call Cody Villalon, an Experienced Richmond Theft Defense Lawyer
Do not risk your future by not hiring a lawyer for theft charges to defend your rights. Cody Villalon understands your rights under the law and fights on your behalf.
Time is of the essence when you have been arrested. Having a Richmond theft defense attorney helping you right away is crucial. Call 804.316.0765 for a free consultation for your case.
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 ]
