Many people mistakenly think that authorities take crimes like theft or vandalism much less seriously than violent crimes. However, those who have faced these charges before will be aware that they can lead to imprisonment and steep fines. These charges can very be serious and have major consequences.
Property crime is a term used to describe many different types of offenses, including theft, arson and vandalism. Dan Carman and Attorneys have represented many clients charged with property crimes, and our experience can be to your benefit.
Types of Property Crime
There are many different forms of property crime. These crimes are much more prevalent than violent crimes. In 2014, Kentucky property crimes outnumbered violent crimes by three to one. Here are a few examples of cases that Dan Carman and Attorneys handle:
- Theft – Theft is the stealing of another’s property. Shoplifting, for example, is one form of theft. In 2014, there were over 65,000 theft offenses reported in Kentucky. In the Commonwealth, theft can be categorized as Theft By Deception, Theft By Unlawful Taking (a very common charge), Theft By Failure to Make Required Disposition, Theft By Extortion, Theft of a Controlled Substance, and others.
- Motor Vehicle Theft – There were over 5,000 motor vehicle theft offenses reported in Kentucky in 2014.
- Robbery – Robbery is theft with the threat of violence or use of violence against another. If the robbery involves a weapon, it is usually considered first-degree robbery, which is a Class B felony in Kentucky. In 2014, there were nearly 2,500 robbery offenses reported in Kentucky.
- Burglary – In Kentucky, the term burglary means that a person entered or remained unlawfully in or on a property that was not their own with the intent of committing a crime. In 2014, there were 21,278 burglaries/breaking and entering offenses reported in Kentucky.
Theft Statistics in Kentucky
To provide some insight into the prevalence of theft in Kentucky, here are a few examples of theft offense reported in 2014 by county, taken from the Kentucky State Police annual report.
- Pulaski County: 1,276 theft offenses reported
- Madison County: 2,025 theft offenses reported
- Boyd County: 1,178 theft offenses reported
- Hardin County: 1,685 theft offenses reported
- Warren County: 3,373 theft offenses reported
- Daviess County: 2,485 theft offenses reported
- McCracken County: 1,641 theft offenses reported
- Bell County: 926 theft offenses reported
- Franklin County: 1,160 theft offenses reported
- Christian County: 1,280 theft offenses reported
What Happens If Someone is Convicted of a Property Crime?
Charges can vary greatly from one crime to another, but if someone is convicted of a property crime in Kentucky, they can face, in addition to the conviction on their record:
- Imprisonment
- Fines
- Community Service
- Probation
In addition to these penalties, a person convicted of a property crime might encounter many other challenges in life, including difficulty finding a job or housing.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a property crime in Kentucky, Dan Carman and Attorneys can help. We have assisted many people accused of these crimes and we will put all of our efforts toward ensuring that you are treated fairly and that your case has the best possible chance of success. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you.
