Oklahoma Property Crimes Lawyer
Property crimes occur every single day in large cities at a substantially higher rate than statewide averages. Additionally, prosecutors come down hard on those accused of property crimes based in part of this fact. When charged with a felony or misdemeanor charge involving theft or damage to property, you are facing a wide variety of serious consequences, which are affected by the type of property crime and your criminal record.
The first step to help your criminal property charges in Oklahoma is to hire an experienced Oklahoma criminal defense attorney. CANNON & ASSOCIATES is dedicated to Fierce Advocacy for those facing property crime prosecution. Once you have hired an Oklahoma Criminal Defense Attorney, you can begin to build your defense and tell your story.
Property crimes in Oklahoma, as in other states, involve the destruction of/damage to an object belonging to another person, or the wrongful taking of an object/property belonging to someone else. The list of property crimes in Oklahoma, includes, but is not limited to the following:
Theft Crimes
There are a multitude of crimes involving theft. Some theft crimes are violent, such as robbery and first-degree burglary; however, the majority are non-violent, such as: grand larceny, possession of stolen property, tax fraud (stealing from the government), embezzlement (federal and or state crime based on amount and involvement of banking system), business fraud, credit fraud, simply burglary, and petit larceny.
Robbery
Robbery is a distinct category of theft crime that involves the use of force, threat of force, or intimidation to steal property from another person. This element of force or threat differentiates robbery from other theft crimes, which are typically characterized by stealth or deception. Due to the inherent violence involved, robbery is often classified as a felony, carrying more severe penalties than non-violent theft crimes.
Motor Vehicle Theft
There are multiple types of motor vehicle theft, some of which are considered property crimes, such as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, and joyriding. However, there are also fraudulent forms of vehicle theft and violent crime, such as vehicle theft commonly referred to as “carjacking.” Each of these crimes requires a specific set of elements and facts to constitute an offense, for which you can be convicted.
Grand Theft Auto
Grand Theft Auto is a serious property crime involving the unauthorized taking or stealing of a motor vehicle with the intent to deprive the owner of their property permanently. In Oklahoma, this crime is considered a felony and can carry significant penalties, including fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record. The level of punishment often depends on factors such as the vehicle’s value, the offender’s criminal history, and whether any violence or additional crimes were committed during the act.
Arson
Arson is defined as the intentional act of setting fire to or causing an explosion on someone else’s property, typically with the intent to destroy or damage the property. Oklahoma law categorizes arson into different degrees, depending on factors such as the type of property, whether the building was occupied, and the extent of the damage caused. Arson is considered a serious felony in Oklahoma and can result in lengthy prison sentences, high fines, and restitution.
Vandalism
Vandalism involves the willful destruction or defacement of someone else’s property and includes actions such as graffiti, breaking windows, or damaging vehicles. Oklahoma law treats vandalism as a property crime, with penalties that may range from fines and community service to jail time, depending on the severity of the damage and whether the offense was committed with malicious intent. Vandalism charges can also result in civil liabilities for the cost of repairs.
For more information on property crimes and how to defend against them, please click here to learn about our approach to protecting your rights.
Know Your Options, If Charged With Property Crimes In Oklahoma
It is important to know your rights and retain an Oklahoma criminal defense attorney with experience defending property crimes as soon as possible. Your life and freedom are on the line and you need a defense. You are facing substantial penalties if convicted of a property felony. In addition to your freedom and reputation being on the line, a felony conviction will deprive you of civil rights – owning or being in the presence of a firearm, voting, holding office, employment/housing, and cause difficulty in obtaining a loan or mortgage, and other penalties.
In the end, there are two main approaches to defending a property crime in Oklahoma: an innocence defense or admission of the act, but a defense of the reason you did the specific crime. An innocence defense primarily consists of developing your story and identifying alibis to your location and conduct, if they exist, and attacking the credibility of all eyewitness identification and law enforcement investigations. In a case where you cannot contest you committed the act, there are several legal and factual defenses available to you: protecting yourself by self-defense, defense of another, which removes your culpability; accident or mistake of fact, i.e. accidental discharge of a firearm shooting someone; mental capacity defenses, such as insanity, lack of the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, or lack of mental capacity; inability to form the requisite intent due to intoxication; and a number of other mitigating and extenuating circumstances.
CANNON & ASSOCIATES has reached many successful outcomes, including the dismissal or reduction of charges, and negotiated agreements, including probation, reasonable restitution, and diversion programs. In white-collar property cases, CANNON & ASSOCIATES has successfully defended clients through zealous advocacy, detailed independent investigation, holding witnesses’ credibility under a microscope, and ensuring client’s rights are protected under the law. You need a Fierce Advocate to defend your life and freedom if you have been accused of or believe you are about to be accused or charged with a property crime in Oklahoma.
Contact Cannon & Associates Today for Representation
Our firm will do everything possible to defend your freedom and your future. Our firm will investigate the allegations; examine law enforcement conduct; interview all potential witnesses; examine credibility issues with your accusers; identify all potential defenses; and identify every weakness in the prosecution’s case.
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The attorneys at CANNON & ASSOCIATES have built a strong reputation for achieving favorable outcomes for clients facing a wide range of criminal charges. With a commitment to providing dedicated and strategic defense, the team has earned top ratings and numerous accolades for their legal expertise. To learn more about the firm’s services and read what clients have to say, check out our Google reviews. Contact CANNON & ASSOCIATES today for a free confidential consultation.
