Facing charges for receiving stolen property in Louisville, Kentucky can be a challenging situation. However, it is essential to remember that an arrest doesn’t mean you are guilty.
As soon as you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, seeking legal advice from an experienced attorney is absolutely critical to understanding your rights and building an effective defense strategy. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience, our Louisville criminal defense lawyers can help you put this case behind you and move forward.
If you’ve been arrested or believe you will be charged for receiving stolen property in Louisville, KY, let us help you. Contact Suhre & Associates, LLC to schedule a free consultation.
For help with charges related to receiving stolen property in Louisville, KY, contact us at Suhre & Associates to schedule your free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer or call (502) 371-7000.
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How Our Louisville Theft Crimes Attorneys Can Help If You’re Arrested for Receiving Stolen Property
If you’ve been arrested for receiving stolen property, a Louisville theft crimes lawyer plays a crucial role in ensuring your rights are protected.
Here are some specific ways Suhre & Associates, LLC can help you:
- We will thoroughly analyze the facts of the case to provide personalized legal help. This includes explaining the charges, potential consequences, and available defenses.
- We will investigate all aspects of the case, including reviewing evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assessing police conduct for any procedural errors or constitutional violations that could be used as part of a defense strategy.
- We will negotiate with prosecutors to potentially secure more favorable outcomes like reduced charges or sentences through plea bargains.
A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer specializing in theft-related offenses can provide invaluable assistance if you’ve been arrested for receiving stolen property in Louisville, KY.
Call our law firm today for a free case evaluation to learn more about our criminal defense legal services.
Overview of Receiving Stolen Property in Kentucky
Receiving stolen property is a serious offense that entails knowingly possessing property that has been unlawfully obtained. It doesn’t matter if you weren’t directly involved in the theft and didn’t commit it yourself. You can still be charged with and convicted of this crime if you’re in possession of stolen property and you knew or should have known it was stolen.
The law aims to discourage individuals from participating in any stage of illegal activities by imposing legal consequences on those who knowingly benefit from the proceeds of others’ unlawful actions.
What Are the Penalties For Receiving Stolen Property in Louisville, Kentucky?
Receiving stolen property in Kentucky is generally classified as a Class B misdemeanor. This carries a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and fines of up to $250.
However, certain factors can elevate the severity of the offense to a higher classification:
Class A Misdemeanor
If the value of the stolen property is between $500 and $1,000, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor. This is punishable by 12 months in jail and up to $500 in fines.
Class D Felony
In cases where receiving stolen property involves goods valued at $1,000 but less than $10,000, it escalates to a Class D felony charge.
Additionally, if an individual has three or more qualifying convictions for receiving stolen property within the last five years, it becomes a Class D felony.
Finally, if the stolen property is specifically identified as a firearm – regardless of its value – receiving such firearms becomes classified as a Class D felony.
A Class D felony carries between one and five years in prison.
Class C Felony
When the value of the stolen property is $10,000 or more, it constitutes a Class C felony.
A class C felony carries between five and ten years in prison.
Multiple Charges Within 90 Days
If an individual commits two or more separate offenses of receiving stolen property within a span of 90 days, these offenses may be combined and treated as a single offense. When determining the value of the property involved, the charges will be based on the combined value of the items involved.
What Defenses Can Be Raised If I’m Arrested for Receipt of Stolen Property in Louisville, KY?
When facing charges of receiving stolen property, several defenses can be raised to challenge the allegations. Some of the most common include:
Lack of Knowledge
One possible defense is to argue that you had no knowledge that the property in your possession was stolen and had no reason to suspect it was unlawfully obtained. This defense focuses on establishing that you lacked the required intent or mens rea for the offense.
Unlawful Search and Seizure
Suppose law enforcement officers acquired the allegedly stolen property through an unlawful search and seizure. The evidence obtained may be deemed inadmissible in court as a violation of your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The Property Was Not Stolen
Another potential defense is challenging whether the property was actually stolen. If you can show that you either owned the property or were given the property by someone with authority to do so, you can beat these charges.
No matter what the circumstances are, a Louisville criminal defense attorney can help – you don’t have to try to handle this alone.
When facing charges of receiving stolen property, enlisting the services of an experienced criminal defense lawyer is vital to protect your rights. With our knowledge of Kentucky’s laws pertaining to theft offenses and our ability to analyze case details and build solid defenses, you can’t go wrong when you work with us.
