There are a multitude of degrees of theft according to New York law, ranging from minor misdemeanors (Class C) that may result in fines to major felonies of the first degree, that are punishable by life in prison in extreme circumstances.

Even though accusations of theft can surface from various circumstances, it is imperative that you not take these allegations lightly. The offenses related to theft are often labeled as crimes of moral turpitude or dishonesty, and you might be surprised to discover how big of an affect these repercussions can have in your life not just today but also in the future.

For example, a theft conviction can prevent you from gaining employment, receiving loans, renting an apartment, and even negatively affect your ability to get accepted into colleges and graduate schools. Even if you were wrongfully accused, or avoid jail time entirely, a guilty verdict remains as a permanent mark on your criminal record that can haunt you for the rest of your life.

. A driving license suspension could arise from a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) arrest and/or conviction, (breath test failure or refusal and/or conviction with or without probation). A driver’s license suspension can result from too many tickets or failure to pay surcharges or conviction of a drug offense. The list goes on and on. Many suspensions can be lifted by the payment of fees to the state. However, some suspensions, (i.e. breath test failure/refusal, drug convictions, too many too many tickets for the lack of financial responsibility – liability insurance), can be for a finite period of time. For those suspension carrying a finite suspension, one may petition the court for an Occupational Drivers License (ODL). There are a number of factors to be considered in lifting such a suspension> I am prepared to offer a free telephone consultation so as to determine how to proceed when you believe that your driver’s license has been suspended or deemed invalid.

Should you be stopped and charged with DWLS/I, you may receive a ticket or possibly be arrested for a Class B Misdemeanor. Too many convictions for DWLS/I can result in drivers license suspensions for additional periods of time.

The majority of weapons charges arise from possession of either the unlawful carrying of a weapon or possession of a prohibited weapon. It is customarily filed as a class A misdemeanor, arising or incident to an arrest or search, although certain circumstances may make it in enumerating with some precision the list of items which are considered prohibited weapons. There may be issue of search and seizure associated with this kind of arrest and there a certain defenses to prosecution.

Simply put, Robbery is a theft crime in which its seriousness derives from the actor intentionally threatening to or harming someone in the course of committing the offense. At the very least it is a second degree felony and under certain conditions it can be upgraded to a felony of the first degree. On occasion there is the unfortunate result wherein a shoplifter takes an item of minimal value and in the course of fleeing, turns around and pushes, punches, trips or otherwise injures his/her pursuer, thus resulting in a theft involving intentional bodily injury.

Burglary, on the other hand is usually a crime against property. However, there is a significant difference in the severity of the crime if the building is one other than a habitation, (i.e. office building, warehouse), or a habitation (home). Burglary of a building is a state sail felony, whereas burglary of a habitation is a second degree felony. In addition, under certain circumstances, burglary can be filed as a first degree felony.

Over the years, many judges and other governmental interests have come to realize that drug addicts and drug users are not necessarily persons who need to be immediately sent to prison. Thus, there are numerous courts that will proved drug treatment, residential and out-patient, for persons who are young or one or two time offenders, with the hope that appropriate treatment as a condition of ongoing probation, leading to rehabilitation is a viable alternative to incarceration.