Defending against Property Crimes.

What is a Property Crime? 

Property crimes are those which do not cause any type of injury, harm, or force against another person. While this may seem like a much less serious offense than other crimes, it is still taken seriously in the eyes of the law. Many property crimes involve financial or economic damage to the victim rather than physical harm.  The most common types of property crimes are theft, criminal damage to property, and burglary. At Duma Law, we understand the need for a strong defense against these types of allegations. Michael C. Duma has represnted thousands of indivdivuals charged with offenses against property and is prepared to build an effective strategy in your case. 

Call Duma Law today at (913) 782-7072 or contact us online if you were charged with any type of property-related offense.

Kansas Theft Laws

According to Kansas law, theft is defined as the unlawful taking or obtaining of another person's property with the intent to deprive them of that property.

Kansas statutes specifically define theft in several ways, including:

• Taking property that is not yours without the owner's consent.
• Obtaining property by deception or false representation.
• Obtaining services, such as labor or professional services, without intending to pay for them.
• Taking property that has been lost or misdelivered, if the person who takes the property knows who the true owner is and does not attempt to return it.
• Receiving or possessing stolen property, knowing or having reason to know that it has been stolen.

In order for an act to be considered theft under Kansas law, it must involve a specific intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property. This means that actions such as borrowing or taking property with the intent to return it do not constitute theft. 

What Are the Penalties for Theft in Kansas?

The penalties for theft in Kansas depend on the value of the stolen property and other circumstances surrounding the offense. Generally, theft is classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, and the severity of the penalties increases with the value of the stolen property and the presence of aggravating factors.

If the value of the stolen property is less than $1,500, it is considered a Class A misdemeanor in Kansas. A conviction can include up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

If the value of the stolen property is $1,500 or more, it is classified as a felony in Kansas. If the value of the stolen property is between $1,500 and less than $25,000, it is a level 9 felony, which can carry penalties of up to 17 months in prison and fines of up to $100,000.

If the value of the stolen property is $25,000 and less than $100,000, it is a severity level 7 felony, punishable by imprisonment for up to 34 months and a fine not exceeding $100,000. If the value of the stolen property is $100,000 or more, it is a level 5 felony that carries a maximum prison term of 136 months and fines of up to $300,000.

A theft mahy also be qualified as a felony if there are three misdemeaor thefts commited within 72 hours of each other or if the person has any prior convictions for theft.

Contact Michael Duma in Olathe Today to discuss your theft case. 

With over 15 years of experience in defending against property crimes, our experienced leader has the necessary skill and dedication you need to obtain the best possible outcome. Call today to schedule a free consultation and discuss a strategy for your case. 

If you would like to learn more about how Michael can help, please contact our Olathe property crime defense lawyer at (913) 782-7072 to schedule a free initial case consultation.