Shreveport Burglary & Theft Attorneys

Burglary, Theft, Larceny & Robbery in Louisiana

Burglary, theft, and related criminal offenses carry harsh penalties in Louisiana. If you or someone you love has been charged with or arrested for theft or burglary, it is important that you reach out to an experienced criminal defense attorney right away. Law enforcement and prosecutors are aggressive when it comes to these cases and will often seek maximum penalties. You need someone who can equally as aggressively protect your rights and your future.

At The Hall Law Firm, our criminal defense team offers highly personalized and detail-oriented legal representation. Since our firm’s founding in 1975, we have earned a reputation for meticulous case preparation and tireless defense of our clients’ rights. Regardless of the severity or complexity of the charges you are facing, our Shreveport burglary and theft attorneys can help.

Theft crimes cover a wide array of offenses related to the unlawful, intentional, and non-consensual taking, procuring, or obtaining of property belonging to another person or entity. Theft often involves misrepresentation and fraud, but it can also be as simple as stealing an Amazon package off someone else’s front porch. The key element of all theft crimes is the intent to deprive another person permanently of the property.

Theft crimes often include or are related to the following types of offenses:

• Robbery: The act of intentionally taking or misappropriating any property or item of value that belongs to or is in the immediate control of another person or party, typically by force or intimidation, but without the use of a deadly and/or dangerous weapon.
• Burglary: Although not specifically a theft crime on its own, burglary often relates to theft. In Louisiana, burglary is defined as the “unauthorized entering of any dwelling, vehicle, watercraft, or other structure, moveable or immovable, or any cemetery, with the intent to commit a felony or any theft therein.”
• Shoplifting: Also known as “theft of goods,” shoplifting includes the intentional and non-consensual taking of any item from a store, retailer, or merchant without paying. Altering price tags, damaging goods so they cannot be sold, and tampering with cash registers may all be considered shoplifting under state law.
• Fraud: Various forms of fraud—including mail fraud and wire fraud—may be considered theft or theft-related crimes. Fraud involves the intentional actual or attempted misrepresentation or suppression of the truth, artifice, or schemes to permanently deprive an individual or entity of property or items of value, including money.
• Identity Theft: Identity theft includes knowingly possessing and/or using personal information that belongs to someone else, typically for the purpose of financial gain or for the obtainment of stolen goods, services, money, or credit.

These are just some of the examples of theft crimes and theft-related offenses under Louisiana criminal laws. These and other related crimes carry harsh penalties, including jail or prison time, steep fines, reimbursement to alleged victims, and more. As with other crimes, the penalties for theft offenses range depending on the specific factors involved, such as the value of the taken items/property and whether a weapon was allegedly used in the commission of the crime, among others.

Burglary is a serious criminal offense in Louisiana. Although it is related to theft crimes, burglary does not necessarily entail the taking or misappropriating of another’s personal belongings, finances, goods, or services. Rather, simple burglary is defined as the unlawful entering of any type of moveable or immovable dwelling, including vehicles and watercraft, or cemetery, for the purpose of committing a felony or theft.

In Louisiana, aggravated battery involves the “unauthorized entering of any inhabited dwelling, or of any structure, watercraft, where a person is present, with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein” when one of the following is true:

• The alleged offender is armed with a dangerous weapon
• The alleged offender arms him/herself with a dangerous weapon after entering
• The alleged offender commits a battery upon any person while inside or while entering or exiting

The penalties for both simple and aggravated burglary in Louisiana are harsh and may include fines up to $2,000 and imprisonment up to 12 years or 30 years. It is important to note that various factors may affect the exact penalties an individual faces. If you have been charged with any type of burglary, whether simple or aggravated, you should contact an attorney right away.

Remember, you do not have to speak to law enforcement or provide any statements without a lawyer present. In fact, we strongly recommend that you exercise your right to remain silent, as anything you say can and will be used against you. Even if you are innocent, trying to defend yourself to law enforcement could backfire. You may accidentally say something the prosecution can use to incriminate you during legal proceedings.

If you are arrested for or charged with any type of theft crime or burglary in Louisiana, you should state to law enforcement that you wish to remain silent. While you must identify yourself to the police under state law, you do not need to answer any other questions, including what you are doing, where you have been, where you are going, or where you got the items in your possession. You have the right to an attorney, and if you cannot afford one, the court will appoint one to you.

It is absolutely critical that you protect your rights if you are facing theft, burglary, or related charges. One of the best things you can do to protect your rights is to reach out to the Shreveport theft and burglary defense attorneys at The Hall Law Firm as soon as possible. From the moment you call, we can begin gathering important details and evidence to support your defense. We work directly with our clients and provide a high level of personal attention, legal support, and advocacy, both in and out of the courtroom.