Source: https://blog.arizonacriminaldefenselawyer.com/category/theft-crimes-az
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 14:44:01+00:00

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Burglary of firearms of any value is a felony in Arizona; depending on the value and other aggravated circumstances, convictions can result in lifetime prison sentences..Like something out of the Hollywood movies like “Ocean’s 13” or “Gone in 60 Seconds”, recently three thieves stole 13 military style rifles from C-3 Arms, a gun shop in Phoenix.
The burglary was videotaped with surveillance cameras, but the thieves were wearing bandanas and tee shirts over their faces. The three men got the front doors open, cut a security cable and removed the rifles worth about $12,000 from the store. There was additional damage to other guns worth about $12,000. The trio drove away in a white Chevy pickup.
The owner of the gun store was surprised that it took only 2 minutes for the burglars to break into the strict security system. Each gun had a serial number etched onto it. The public is being asked for tips and there is a $6000 reward for capturing the thieves and the stolen guns. The police believe the stolen guns will be used in future crimes.
If caught, the thieves will probably be charged with burglary and theft. In Arizona, criminal burglary is entering or remaining inside a building without the owner’s authorization, dwelling or fenced lot with the intent to commit a crime. Theft of items worth less than $1000 is usually charged as a misdemeanor. However, theft of guns are charged as felonies regardless of the value of the guns, and in this case, because the guns were valuable, the charges and potential sentencing will be more severe.
Theft: Purchasing known stolen items, may result in criminal liability.
In Arizona laws are in place that will result in criminal charges imposed on a person or business who knowing buys or sells stolen property that they know or should have known were stolen.
Laws were enacted as recently as January and March of 2012 that impose strict guidelines on businesses, particularly copper and metal buyers to register, index, report, and obtain proof of the originating source of the goods.
Failure to comply with the laws or to make a reasonable effort to find out the rightful owner of property they purchase from an entity may result in theft offense prosecution of the business owner or buyer of the stolen property.
•	Gains control of property that was lost, misplaced, or delivered to the wrong addressee, belonging to another without making a reasonable effort to find or notify the real owner.
Theft of property under $1,000.00 may be charged as a Misdemeanor. Theft of property with a value equal to $1,000.00 or are classified as Felonies. They range from Class 5 up to Class 2 depending on the value. The higher the monetary value the more serious the penalties.
Convictions for first-time theft charges carry harsh penalties. The range from the low sentencing of six months in jail, and fines of up to $2,500.00 for a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Class 2 felony theft convictions expose a person to prison sentencing ranging from four to ten years.
All theft convictions may include court ordered counseling, community service, probation, restitution, costs, assessments; fees, and fines that can be exorbitant upwards to $150,000.
In the case of a Class 1 Misdemeanor theft first-offense, that involves a limited dollar value the offender may qualify to participate in a theft diversion program, in place of serving jail time.
If you were arrested for any type of theft crime you should consult a criminal defense attorney to discuss your matter and options for defense. If you have first offense Misdemeanor charges, with no criminal record, you may qualify for a diversion program. If you face felony theft charges or have been charged with a repeat offense, you should retain a private practice criminal attorney to defend you. They will protect your rights; defend your charges; and work to get a favorable resolution in your case.
Copper is an example of a high demand Non-Ferrous metal, with comprehensive uses, and is more resistant to rust and corrosion, than many other types of metals. As a result, thefts of copper and copper cable have become such a widespread problem in Arizona that many law enforcement agencies are offering rewards for information leading to arrests. In additional Arizona has passed legislation in an attempt to combat the crimes which place more restrictions on the businesses purchasing the copper, and more harsh sentencing and penalties for copper theft convictions.
Arizona Law HB 2396 was passed March 21, 2012. This Law intended to increase penalties by amending ARS § 13 – 1801, and ARS § 13 – 1802 to delete term “scrap metal” from the definition of value. This change redefines the average Fair Market Value of copper in the local area; together with the repair or replacement value of any property from which the metal was removed during the theft. For sentencing purposes, this serves to increase the penalties for a copper theft conviction, since the value of stolen property is a major factor considered in Sentencing Guidelines and penalties. For example, If a person were convicted of stealing copper in the amount of $3,000 or more may be charged with a Class 4 felony, exposing a person to prison terms of 18 months to 3 years, which is more severe than if it were “scrap metal” stolen.
A.R.S. § 44-1642: Effective January 1, 2012, requires that all scrap metal businesses register to report their purchases by reporting them to a Scrap Metal Theft Data Base that indexes purchase records; transaction limits; age of seller; and exceptions’.
A.R.S. § 44-16442: Effective January 1, 2012, requires that all scrap metal businesses register to report their purchases to the department of public safety; exemption; violation; classification.
If you have been arrested or charged with theft of copper metal, copper cord, or any other theft crime, you may be exposed to felony charges and prison sentencing. The prosecution will egregiously pursue convictions. Laws have been enacted to increase sentencing and penalties for those offenses. You should contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your matter and options for defense. With proper legal representation, and you will increase your chances of avoiding prison terms, and harsh penalties of a conviction. An experienced criminal attorney will protect your rights, defend your charges, and make every effort to get a favorable resolution in your case.
Arizona Robbery Laws: A person may be convicted for robbery even if nothing was stolen and no one was harmed.
Even if a robbery offense does not involve a weapon or an accomplice it is serious felony charge. Maricopa County prosecutors pursue them egregiously because they are considered crimes against a victim. If convicted, a person may be exposed to long term jail and prison sentencing.
A.R.S. § 13-1902 Robbery is theft that occurs; is intended; or attempted while the owner, caretaker or authorized party overseeing the property stolen is present at the time of the incident.
Robbery occurs when items (s) are stolen forcefully or against a person’s will. Robbery also includes acts or words of intentional intimidation, force or threat used against the owner or caretaker of the property in an effort to cause them to surrender the property against their will.
In order to get a conviction for robbery, the intent to commit robbery must exist. A person may be found guilty of robbery or attempted robbery, even if no property was taken; or even if a victim was unharmed.
A person may be guilty of robbery, or attempted robbery, even if they did not get away with any of the property; an even if the victim or witnesses were not harmed.
Robbery charges without aggravated circumstance are Class 4 Felonies under Arizona Law. All robbery charges are felonies and sentencing is harsh. If convicted a person will be exposed to prison sentencing of up to 3.75 years in State Prison;, or jail sentences up to one year. Other penalties include fines; fees; victim restitution; property damage, community service, and other penalties the judge deems appropriate. A sentence may be mitigated, which means reduced, or aggravated which mean increased based on certain factors. Factors may include prior criminal record repeat offenses; nature, monetary value, and number of items stolen.
If you have been arrested for robbery, you will need to hire an experienced criminal attorney to defend you. They will make sure you are treated fairly; defend your charges; and look for defenses that may apply to your case; and provide the court with mitigating factors on your behalf. Retaining a qualified lawyer will increase your chances of getting a good outcome in your case.
Copper Theft Laws: Arizona harsher sentencing and penalties for convictions; strict reporting guidelines for scrap metal transactions by businesses.
Copper is considered a high demand Non-Ferrous metal, with comprehensive uses, and is more resistant to rust and corrosion, than many other types of metals. As a result, thefts of copper and copper cable have become such a widespread problem in Arizona that many law enforcement agencies are offering rewards for information leading to arrests. In additional Arizona has passed legislation in an attempt to combat the crimes which place more restrictions on the businesses purchasing the copper, and more harsh sentencing and penalties for copper theft convictions.
Arizona Law HB 2396 was passed March 21, 2012. This Law intended to increase copper theft penalties by amending ARS § 13 – 1801, and ARS § 13 – 1802 to delete term “scrap metal” from the definition of value. This change redefines the average Fair Market Value of copper in the local area; together with the repair or replacement value of any property from which the metal was removed during the theft. For sentencing purposes, this serves to increase the penalties for a copper theft conviction, since the value of stolen property is a major factor considered in Sentencing Guidelines and penalties. For example, If a person were convicted of stealing copper in the amount of $3,000 or more may be charged with a Class 4 felony, exposing a person to prison terms of 18 months to 3 years, which is more severe than if it were “scrap metal” stolen.
If you have been arrested or charged with theft of copper metal, copper cord, or any other theft crime, you may be exposed to felony charges and prison sentencing. The prosecution will egregiously pursue convictions. Laws have been enacted to increase sentencing and penalties for those offenses. You should consult an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss your matter and options for defense. With proper legal representation, and you will increase your chances of avoiding prison terms, and harsh penalties of a conviction. An experienced criminal attorney will protect your rights, defend your charges, and make every effort to get a favorable resolution in your case.
Robbery Laws: Definition of Robbery, and sentencing considerations if convicted.
You can gain control of your life again for a fresh start by hiring a good criminal defense attorney who defends cases in Scottsdale AZ.
In Arizona robbery is considered a Class 4 Felony under Code A.R.S. 13-1902 of Arizona Criminal Law. If you were arrested for robbery in Scottsdale, AZ should consult good AZ felony attorney who defends charges in Scottsdale AZ regularly. Top Criminal Lawyer in Arizona will advise you to plead “not guilty” initially and hire an experienced Arizona criminal attorney to defend your charges.
D.	The accused used intentionally used threat, intimidation, or force, against the owner or custodian of the property in order to gain control of the property. Thus causing the person or authorized party to surrender the property to them.
Sentencing if convicted of Scottsdale robbery charges, include incarceration in state prison with sentences not to exceed 3.75 years; jail sentence up to one year; fines, restitution for the victim’s property damage, or stolen property, probation, mandatory counseling, and anything the judge feel is appropriate and necessary based on the facts surrounding the charges. Sentencing considerations by he judge include past criminal record, repeat offenses, manner of robbery, monetary value of items, and number of items stolen.
Arizona is relentless in pursuing convictions for robbery charges. If you face Scottsdale robbery charges, you will need a highly qualified criminal attorney to defend. This will be give you the best chance at getting a case dismissal, charge or sentencing reduction, or otherwise better outcome in your case than what a conviction or guilty verdict by a jury would bring. You can take control of your situation by hiring a good felony defense attorney who defends charges in Scottsdale AZ. Failure to hire an experienced private practice criminal attorney in Arizona will almost always result in a conviction. A good criminal lawyer or defense firm will make sure your rights are protected, you are treated fairly; and build and mount a strong defense case on your behalf.

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