Las Vegas Petty Theft Attorneys

Petty theft is one of the most common criminal offenses committed in Las Vegas. Even walking out of a store with a soda or taking towels from a hotel room can result in petty theft charges.

Although petty theft may seem like a minor crime, the consequences of an arrest and criminal conviction can have a long-term impact on your life. You could wind up in jail, ordered to pay hefty fines and be required to reimburse the victim for the property you stole  ― not to mention suffering damage to your reputation.

A criminal record that includes petty theft will also show up on background checks, potentially limiting your ability to get a job, find housing, or take advantage of educational or financial opportunities. With so much at stake, you need to speak to a Las Vegas petty theft lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.

The experienced legal team at Adras & Altig will work vigorously to build a strong defense on your behalf. Our hard-nosed criminal defense attorneys genuinely care about getting you the best possible results in your case. We’ll leverage our knowledge and resources to develop a legal strategy that aims to help you avoid jail time and get your petty theft charges dropped or reduced.

You’ll communicate directly with our attorneys when you work with our law firm ― not a paralegal or legal assistant. We’ll go over your legal rights and answer any questions you may have about the criminal process. Our partners also take a team approach with every case, bringing their respective experiences and perspectives to your petty theft case to develop legal solutions with your best interests in mind.

Never make any decisions about your criminal case until you have had the chance to speak with a knowledgeable petty theft attorney. Reach out to Adras & Altig today for a free consultation. Call us or contact us online today.

What is Considered Petty Theft Under Nevada Law?

Under Nevada law, petty theft is also called petit larceny or petty larceny. A person can be charged with petty theft when they intentionally steal or carry away another person’s money or property valued at less than $1,200.

The court may determine the value of the stolen property by various means. It may rely on the retail price of the stolen item(s) (especially when a petty theft offense involves shoplifting), market research to determine the fair value of the property or expert testimony regarding the property’s value.

Examples of Petty Theft

Examples of conduct that may result in a petty theft charge include:

• Stealing the personal property of another person valued
• Shoplifting
• Taking items from a hotel room, short-term rental facility, or other lodgings
• Severing and carrying away fixtures from real property
• Stealing or leading away someone else’s pets or domesticated animals

What is the Penalty for Petty Theft in Nevada?

Petty theft is usually a misdemeanor offense. If you are convicted of petty larceny in Las Vegas, you can face penalties that may include:

• Up to six months in jail
• A fine of up to $1,000
• Obligation to pay restitution to the victim
• Community service

Petty theft is usually not considered a deportable offense under U.S. immigration laws. While theft is defined as a crime for which an immigrant can be deported, petty theft generally falls within the “petty offense” exception for deportable offenses since the crime only involves a maximum sentence of incarceration of six months in Nevada.

Can Petty Theft Charges Be Dropped?

You may have legal and factual defenses available to you that may convince the prosecution to drop your petty theft charges. Possible defenses include:

• It’s a case of mistaken identity. You’ve been accused of a crime you didn’t commit.
• You own the allegedly stolen property. Sometimes people are accused of petty theft when they, in truth, co-own property with another individual, such as a roommate, domestic partner, or spouse.
• You had permission to take the property. In other words, you were given the property, or you had borrowed it with the owner’s consent.
• You legally purchased or paid fair value for the item(s). If you took ownership of the property in a valid financial transaction, it could be difficult for prosecutors to get petty theft charges to stick.
  
• You attempted to lawfully purchase the property from someone you reasonably believed was the owner. If you bought stolen personal goods unknowingly, you could have a solid petty larceny defense.
  
• You did not steal, take, lure, lead, drive, or carry away the property at issue. That is part of the legal definition of petit larceny.
  
• You lacked the intent to commit theft. For example, if you honestly overlooked paying for an item in your basket at the store and walked out without paying for it, there was no intent to steal.

In addition, it might be possible to have your petty theft charges dropped if you can have the prosecution’s evidence excluded at trial. Evidence can be excluded if your petty theft attorney can prove it was obtained in violation of your civil or constitutional rights.

For example, the court may exclude evidence if you were stopped and searched by law enforcement officers when they lacked reasonable suspicion or probable cause to search or detain you. The court may exclude incriminating statements you made to police if you were questioned after being detained or arrested without first having your Miranda rights read to you or after you invoked your right to speak with an attorney.

In some cases, petty theft charges can be dropped if the individual is a first-time offender and the prosecutor agrees. In exchange, the offender will also have to pay any fines, attend Petit Larceny School, and pay restitution to the victim for the value of the goods.

Do Petty Theft Charges Appear on My Criminal Record?

Both an arrest and conviction for petty theft become part of your criminal record. These criminal records will generally show up on background searches. However, in Nevada, people who have been arrested or convicted of petty theft can apply to have those charges or convictions sealed.

If a petty theft charge is dismissed without conviction, a defendant can usually immediately apply to the court to have the record of their arrest sealed. If you are convicted of petty theft, you can generally have the record of your arrest and conviction sealed by the court after one year.

Regardless of whether you were only arrested for petty theft or were ultimately convicted, you should always pursue sealing your criminal record. An arrest for petty theft carries a social stigma that can make it difficult for you to apply for employment, get housing, or take advantage of other opportunities that require a background check.

Talk to a Petty Theft Lawyer in Las Vegas, Nevada Today

Don’t wait another day to get the legal representation you need to protect your rights and interests when facing petty theft charges in Las Vegas. A conviction for stealing even seemingly trivial items can have serious consequences for your future.

The attorneys at Adras & Altig can review your petty theft charges and any related legal issues in a free, confidential consultation. We serve clients in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson, Spring Valley Township, Winchester, and the surrounding Clark County communities. Call or contact us today to get started.