If you have been accused of Theft, please call me for a free consultation. I have practiced criminal defense my entire career, teach criminal law at the IU School of Law, and have personally handled thousands of cases.  Additional information about my office is available on the home page and the in the news page.

IC § 35-43-4-2 Theft 

(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person, with intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use, commits theft, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is:

(1) a Level 6 felony if:

(A) the value of the property is at least seven hundred fifty dollars ($750) and less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000);

(B) the property is a firearm; or

(C) the person has a prior unrelated conviction for:

(i) theft under this section; or

(ii) criminal conversion under section 3 of this chapter; and

(2) a Level 5 felony if:

(A) the value of the property is at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); or

(B) the property that is the subject of the theft is a valuable metal (as defined in IC 25-37.5-1-1) and:

(i) relates to transportation safety;

(ii) relates to public safety; or

(iii) is taken from a hospital or other health care facility, telecommunications provider, public utility (as defined in IC 32-24-1-5.9(a)), or key facility;

and the absence of the property creates a substantial risk of bodily injury to a person.

(b) In determining the value of property under this section, acts of theft committed in a single episode of criminal conduct (as defined in IC 35-50-1-2(b)) may be charged in a single count.

(c) For purposes of this section, “the value of property” means:

(1) the fair market value of the property at the time and place the offense was committed; or

(2) if the fair market value of the property cannot be satisfactorily determined, the cost to replace the property within a reasonable time after the offense was committed.

A price tag or price marking on property displayed or offered for sale constitutes prima facie evidence of the value of the property.

Notes

– Can a witness testify to what “a price tag” says or would this violate the Rules of Evidence?

Case Law

– Mere presence when another commits petit larceny is not sufficient to authorize conviction. Carey v. State, 144 N.E.2d 22 (Ind. 1924).

– Even if there was no active participation in the commission of the crime, failure to oppose it at the time, companionship with another engaged therein, and a course of conduct before and after the offense were such circumstances as could be considered in determining whether aiding or abetting could be inferred.  Cotton v. State, 211 N.E.2d 158 (Ind. 1965).

If you are in need of an Indiana expungement attorney, Indiana criminal defense attorney, or forfeiture attorney, or have questions about the Indiana Expungement Law please call me for a free consultation at 317-695-7700. I have personally defended thousands of cases, teach criminal law at the IU School of Law, am a top rated attorney, and have practiced criminal defense my entire career. Additional information about my office is available on the home page and the in the news page.

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