Des Moines Iowa Property Crime Lawyer
Accusations of property crime could lead to large fines, jail time, restitution payments, and employment problems. Employers won't trust you around money or things of value. Banks might not trust you with loans. You can't afford to be seen as a thief -- not if there's any way to clear your name. Maybe the property was yours to begin with. Maybe your ex is making up a story to get leverage in a divorce or other civil proceeding. A property crime or theft lawyer can review the charges against you and help you determine what defenses may be available.
Get out of trouble and get back to life. Call Clark & Sears Law, you can set up a free consultation now at (515) 200-2787. A receptionist is available 24/7 to take your call.
Types of Propety Crimes
Understanding Burglary and Property Crimes in Iowa
There are a number of different things that could earn you a theft conviction. The first and most obvious is taking somebody's stuff with the intent to deprive them of it. It also includes intentionally keeping stuff that you were only allowed to borrow or rent, embezzlement, "dine and dash," and stealing office supplies.
Legal Consequences of Receiving Stolen Goods in Iowa
If you have property that you know was stolen or that you have reason to believe was stolen, you could be convicted of "receiving stolen property" under Iowa law. This includes things like buying stolen goods and reselling them on eBay or at a pawn shop, "fencing," etc.
Shoplifting Charges: What Iowa Retailers Want You to Know
Walmart, Target, and others are out to stop ongoing thefts at their stores. If you walk out with their property in your pocket or purse, skip something into a bag at the self-checkout, hide objects inside of other objects, or eat something you haven't paid for (talking to you, guy or girl who's facing a Theft 5th misdemeanor for eating $3 worth of chicken fries while wandering through a Walmart), they're going to pull you into a back room, question you, call the police, and turn security video over to the prosecution.
Identity Theft: A Serious Offense with Major Consequences in Iowa
If you use someone else's info to get something of value, you're probably facing a charge ranging in severity from an aggravated misdemeanor to a class "C" felony. Additionally, whatever you got of value is subject to forfeiture. Your victim may file a claim for damages and you may have to pay their attorneys' fees.
Arson in Iowa: More Than Just Fire
You don't have to burn down a building to be convicted of arson (although, let's be clear, that is arson.) In one well-known local case, a man was convicted to 16 years for (hate crime, harassment, reckless use of fire as a habitual offender and) arson involving setting a stolen pride flag on fire.
Causing a fire or explosion is arson. So is putting burning material or explosive devices in or near property if you intend to destroy or damage the property or if you know the property will probably be destroyed or damaged.
Causing a fire or explosion that damages property while manufacturing or attempting to manufacture a controlled substance (such as methamphetamine) is also arson -- even if the owner of the property consents to what you're doing and even if you did it in a way that didn't unreasonably endanger anyone's life or property.
