Category Archives: Theft
First Offender Act for Theft Charges in Georgia: What Happens After Successful Completion
The First Offender Act in Georgia gives certain individuals charged with crimes, including theft offenses, an opportunity to avoid a permanent criminal conviction. This law is often used in theft cases such as shoplifting, theft by taking, theft by deception, and other property crimes. Instead of entering a conviction, the court places the person… Read More »
What Must Prosecutors Prove in a Georgia Shoplifting Case?
Shoplifting charges can feel overwhelming, especially when someone is unfamiliar with how Georgia law defines the offense. While many people assume shoplifting simply means leaving a store without paying for an item, the legal definition is more detailed than that. Prosecutors must prove several specific elements in order to secure a conviction. At The… Read More »
When a Theft Charge Follows You to a Background Check
For many people in Georgia, a theft charge is not just about what happens in court. It is about what happens after. At The Spizman Firm, our Atlanta Theft Defense Attorneys regularly hear from individuals who are worried about how a theft accusation or conviction could show up on a background check and affect… Read More »
Can a Theft Charge Be Expunged or Restricted in Georgia?
Facing a theft charge can be a daunting experience, especially when you consider the potential long-term impact on your life. A theft charge or conviction can affect your ability to secure employment, housing, and even professional licenses. Fortunately, Georgia’s expungement laws, also known as record restriction laws, may offer a way to mitigate these… Read More »
Does the State Have to “Disprove” Your Alibi in a Criminal Trial?
Many people accused of serious crimes in Georgia offer what is known as an alibi defense. An alibi is basically any evidence that shows you were somewhere else when the alleged crime occurred. To give a simple hypothetical example, say the police arrest and charge Mark with committing a murder in Atlanta. Mark produces… Read More »
Can You Go to Jail for Not Reporting Income to the Government While on Disability?
We often associate theft with a physical act such as an armed robbery. But as far as the law is concerned, theft can also be the result of non-violent fraudulent activity. For example, if you obtain someone else’s property by making false statements or promises, that is considered theft by deception, and it is… Read More »
How Do Geofence Warrants Work in a Georgia Criminal Investigation?
Modern smartphones allow us to record and track our movements at all times. Of course, this also makes it possible for others to track you as well. Companies like Google maintain massive databases of user geolocation data. Law enforcement is well aware of this, and as such, they often rely on so-called geofence warrants… Read More »
When Can Georgia Prosecutors Use Surveillance Video Footage as Evidence?
We live in a society where video surveillance is just about everywhere, at least when it comes to public spaces. Many stores maintain such cameras in order to deter potential shoplifting. But can footage from such cameras actually be used as evidence in court? Georgia Appeals Court Upholds Armed Robbery Conviction A recent Georgia… Read More »
What Is “Theft By Conversion” in Georgia?
Theft broadly describes a number of criminal offenses where someone unlawfully takes the property of another. One of the more complex types of theft charges in Georgia is theft by conversion. This refers to a situation where a person initially obtains property lawfully–i.e., with the owner’s consent–but then “converts” that property to their own… Read More »
Is It Still Armed Robbery If the Victim Never Saw the Gun?
Armed robbery is one of the more serious theft offenses you can be charged with in Georgia. Under state law, a conviction for armed robbery carries a minimum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment. Conviction itself requires the state to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant took… Read More »