Theft Charges: The Importance of Hiring the Right Criminal Defense Attorney
While some people who are facing theft charges assume that "nobody gets hurt" with white collar crimes, that isn't true. Whether it's a case of embezzlement from a pension fund meaning employees can't afford retirement or a case of insurance fraud that results in everyone else being subjected to higher rates, theft charges are no light matter.
People are fed up with thieves getting light sentences, making it more important than ever to have the right criminal defense attorney by your side if you're facing theft charges of your own.
Recently we've seen how theft and irresponsible financial decisions can not only affect large groups of individuals, but even the economy as a whole. Theft does more than hurt people -- it can hurt a lot of people, even inadvertently.
That's an incentive for prosecutors to seek steep punishments for those facing theft charges, and an even bigger incentive for you to consider hiring an attorney specializing in theft charges if you find yourself accused of one of these not-so-soft white collar crimes.
Here are some recent examples of convictions and sentences handed down for theft charges, showing you exactly how serious these theft charges can sometimes be:
Bernard Madoff -- If you've followed recent news at all, you've probably heard of Bernie Madoff. After pleading guilty to a Ponzi scheme (in short, stealing from new investors to pay off previous investors), Madoff received a 150 year prison sentence for his crimes.
Matthew Brown -- According to the Kansas City Star, Matthew Brown was a former Secret Service agent who stole $2800 from the government. While it might not sound like much from a government scandal perspective, Brown was convicted in 2004 and served 14 months in jail.
Paulette Gladwell -- This bank teller was sentenced (in October 2009) to two years in prison for embezzling $18,000 from her employer.
Staff Sgt. Irvin Lee McClendon -- This former soldier at Fort Lewis was sentenced to four years in prison for identity theft charges after being convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. His former wife was sentenced to seven years for masterminding the operation where the couple used fake IDs to get over $1 million through loans and other means.
What might seem like a minor theft charge to you could amount to real jail time. Is it worth the risk to try to defend yourself alone? Wouldn't you rather have the experience and know-how of a criminal attorney specializing in theft charges by your side?
Don't take theft charges lightly. The right criminal defense attorneys will know how to defend you against different types of theft charges -- things you're probably not prepared to defend yourself against. Contact a criminal defense attorney today if you're facing theft charges and don't leave your future in the hands of Lady Luck.