Theft and fraud are both referred to as crimes of dishonesty and both come in two varieties, either over or under/equal to $5,000 depending on the value alleged to have been stolen/defrauded. Where the theft or fraud involved a breach of trust, such as where the alleged victim was the accused’s employer, this will generally serve as an aggravating factor on sentencing should there be a finding of guilt.

If you have been charged with theft or fraud it is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer to determine what defences and alternative paths may be available to you.

Diversion Programs

For lower level offences such as minor shoplifting related charges, an experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer may be able to negotiate your entry into a diversion program. While the details of what the up-front work entails will differ (e.g. educational video, charitable donation, community service), the end result will generally be a withdrawal of the criminal charge.

Restitution

In some circumstances, an accused person will be in a position to pay back the value that was alleged to have been stolen or defrauded. In these circumstances, and particularly where there may be other issues of proof for the prosecution, an experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer may be able to negotiate with the Crown Attorney to have the charges withdrawn without the need for a trial.

The options for either defending or favourably resolving a theft or fraud charge will be highly dependent on the facts of the specific case. If you have been charged, it is highly recommended that you consult with an experienced Criminal Defence Lawyer to determine what course of action will be best for you. To book your free consultation with a lawyer at SWH Law please click here