Though high profile theft cases grab headlines and enter public consciousness, most theft charges don’t make the news. Still, having a theft conviction on your criminal record can have serious repercussions, including making you unemployable and perhaps barring entry to the United States, as it is considered moral turpitude.
Theft under and over 5K has different penalties, ranging from probation to jail time.
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Key Points
- A theft conviction, whether for amounts under or over $5,000 USD, can have severe long-term consequences, including employment limitations and potential border-crossing issues, particularly with the United States.
- Theft crimes in Canada can be prosecuted as either summary convictions or indictable offenses, with penalties ranging from probation to jail time.
- Legal representation is crucial when charged with theft; experienced lawyers can negotiate with the Crown Attorney during pretrial discussions to potentially have the charges dropped or reduced.
- Various professions, such as nurses, teachers, and engineers, could face disciplinary actions from their respective professional societies or associations if convicted of theft.
- While high-profile theft cases often make headlines, most theft charges go unreported, yet still result in permanent criminal records that can significantly impact future life opportunities.
What is Theft Under $5,000 USD?
Theft is one of the most widespread crimes in Canada, often committed in many forms such as shoplifting or taking property from someone else without their knowledge or permission.
It can occur through various actions including shoplifting or stealing food from stores as well as taking property from individuals without permission or even through other illegal means such as taking personal assets from someone.
An arrest for theft can have severe repercussions for employment and other aspects of life. A conviction will also show up on background checks conducted by third-parties and can create obstacles when applying to enter the U.S, as it will become part of your permanent record and can result in lifetime refusal at its borders.
If you have been charged with minor theft crimes such as shoplifting or similar acts, an agreement to enter a “Crown Pretrial” with the Crown Attorney may help avoid conviction.
This often includes community service obligations or rehabilitation programs as part of this pretrial agreement; only they have the power to drop criminal charges and not trial Judges themselves – however having an experienced and well-trained lawyer on your side can increase the odds that the case is dismissed completely.
What is Theft Over $5,000 USD?
Stealing money, credit cards or merchandise is a serious crime that could potentially land you behind bars and lead to a permanent criminal record.
The Crown can choose to prosecute an offense as either a summary conviction or indictable offense, with most shoplifting or theft cases falling into this latter category.
If you are accused of theft in Toronto it is essential that you secure legal representation immediately. Do not speak with police until consulting a criminal defence lawyer first; anything you say to them could be used against you at trial and make it more difficult to achieve an advantageous result in your case.
You will probably be seeking bail, but the chances of receiving that may depend on the severity of your crime and whether you can arrange surety.
Your charges against you could be dismissed by engaging with the Crown during pretrial negotiations. Your lawyer and they Crown may convene for formal discussions to see if an agreement can be made to have charges dropped altogether.
What is the Penalty for Theft Under $5,000 USD?
Although high-profile theft cases such as high-rise heists may make headlines and grab public attention, most theft cases go unreported entirely. No matter how minor a theft offense may seem, any conviction will appear on any background check and may significantly limit employment prospects in the future.
Jeff Reisman Law can assist in devising an effective legal defence strategy and fighting on your behalf for shoplifting charges. Even if the charges don’t fully exonerate you, your attorney can work towards having them reduced or convincing the Crown that there is insufficient evidence against you to proceed with prosecution.
Jeff Reisman Law specialises in representing professionals accused of shoplifting; including nurses, teachers, engineers, physicians, real estate agents and real estate agents. Being charged with an elect indictable offence such as this can result in disciplinary measures by professional societies/associations as well as appearing on background checks by third-parties.
What is the Penalty for Theft Over $5,000 USD?
Although not explicitly specified by law, Crown and judge tend to distinguish theft cases under $5000 and over $5000 according to the value stolen; this test cannot exclude innocent people who may have mistakenly acquired an item without intending it as theft.
An arrest for theft under $5000 will result in permanent criminal records that can prevent you from finding employment and other opportunities. Furthermore, such convictions could have an adverse effect on your immigration status and could cause difficulties when trying to cross U.S. borders because they will be documented in Customs databases, leading to long-term refusal of entry into America.
Legal representation is vital to protecting against this charge of any sort. Finding a lawyer with experience at your courthouse who understands how different Crown Attorney offices assess such charges is key.