If you are charged with theft, also known as larceny, in Des Moines, Iowa, you may wonder whether those charges are the more severe felonies or the less severe misdemeanors. The types of charges you are facing can have a significant impact on the potential penalties if you are convicted, with felonies resulting in steeper fines and far harsher prison sentences.
What Are Larceny Charges?
In Iowa, larceny charges are referred to as theft. Larceny, or theft, is the act of taking possession or control of another person’s property without their permission. Depending on the value of the property stolen, theft charges can range from simple misdemeanors to class C felonies.
Beyond simply stealing property, larceny charges can also include misappropriating property that you are in possession or control of, taking possession of property that you know to have been stolen, or destroying or concealing another person’s property.
What Are Felony Charges?
Felony charges are the more serious type of charges, while misdemeanor charges are the less serious type. A felony conviction typically results in both a prison sentence and a fine, depending on the classification of the felony.
Felonies are classified into four levels, ranging from class A felonies to class D felonies. Class A felonies are the most serious crimes with the most severe penalties, while class D felonies are the least serious of the felony crimes with the least severe penalties.
Larceny offenses max out at class C felonies. However, just because they don’t reach class A felonies doesn’t mean they don’t pose significant penalties on those convicted.
Degrees of Theft in Iowa
When charged with a theft offense in Iowa, there are five degrees of severity based on the value of the property allegedly stolen:
- First-degree theft is for property worth more than $10,000 and is a class C felony.
- Second-degree theft is for property worth between $1,500 and $10,000 and is a class D felony.
- Third-degree theft is for property worth between $750 and $1,500 and is an aggravated misdemeanor.
- Fourth-degree theft is for property worth between $300 and $750 and is a serious misdemeanor.
- Fifth-degree theft is for property worth less than $300 and is a simple misdemeanor.
Penalties for Theft Based on Degree
The penalties you may face for a larceny offense depend on the degree of the charges:
- Class C Felonies – Up to 10 years in prison and a fine of between $1,370 and $13,660
- Class D Felonies – Up to five years in prison and a fine of between $1,025 and $10,245
- Aggravated Misdemeanors – Up to two years in jail and a fine of between $850 and $8,540
- Serious Misdemeanors – Up to one year in jail and a fine of between $430 and $2,560
- Simple Misdemeanors – Up to 30 days in jail and a fine of between $105 and $855
In addition to these legal penalties, you will also have a theft conviction on your criminal record. This can make it more difficult to obtain a job or secure housing. For this reason, it’s always recommended that you speak with a criminal defense attorney any time you are facing charges in Des Moines.
Contact Our Des Moines, Iowa, Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with larceny in Des Moines, Iowa, contact Vogel Law, PLLC, to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer about your case. At our law firm, we give honest, straightforward advice at every stage of your case so you can make informed decisions. We also have years of experience handling theft cases throughout the state and are committed to defending your rights at trial.