Indiana Theft Lawyers
A Theft Charge Can Follow You Into Work, School, and Every Background Check.
Custom Law defends Indiana theft, shoplifting, conversion, auto theft, robbery, and burglary allegations.
Theft and Shoplifting Charges in Indiana
Under Indiana Code §35-43-4-2, theft means knowingly or intentionally exerting unauthorized control over another person’s property with intent to deprive the owner of its value or use. Control may include taking, carrying, possessing, concealing, selling, abandoning, encumbering, or transferring property rights.
Control may be unauthorized when it occurs without consent, exceeds consent, reinforces a false impression, abuses a position of trust, relies on a promise known not to be performed, or conceals a legal obstacle affecting the property.
Cases We Defend
- Retail theft and shoplifting
- Theft and criminal conversion
- Vehicle theft and unauthorized vehicle control
- Receiving or retaining stolen property
- Robbery and armed robbery
- Burglary
Theft Levels and Penalties
- Class A misdemeanor: Property valued up to $749; up to one year and $5,000.
- Level 6 felony: Property valued $750 to $49,999, a firearm of any value, or a qualifying prior theft; up to 2½ years and $10,000.
- Level 5 felony: Property valued at $50,000 or more; up to six years and $10,000.
Related Offenses
Conversion is unauthorized control without the same requirement of permanent deprivation and is generally Class A. Vehicle-related conversion may become Level 6, and stealing a vehicle to assist another felony may be Level 5.
Robbery under §35-42-5-1 is generally Level 5; a weapon or bodily injury may make it Level 3; serious bodily injury may make it Level 2, carrying 10 to 30 years and $10,000. Burglary ranges from Level 5 through Level 1 based on a dwelling, weapon, and injury. A Level 1 burglary may carry up to 40 years and $10,000.
Defending a Theft Case
Defense may focus on lack of intent, accident, a reasonable belief of ownership, consent, necessity, mistaken identity, alibi evidence, false accusations, value disputes, or failure to prove unauthorized control. We also assess surveillance, receipts, witness accounts, electronic records, and property-recovery evidence.
Prepared for What Comes Next
What to Expect from Custom Law
Criminal defense requires more than a quick review of the charging paperwork. Our attorneys look at how the investigation started, how evidence was obtained, what the State must prove, and how the case may affect the client outside the courtroom.
Drawing on more than 20 years of legal experience, former-prosecutor insight, and extensive courtroom work, the team develops a tailored approach for negotiations, hearings, or trial while keeping clients informed from start to finish.
Former Prosecutor Insight
As former Indiana prosecutors, our criminal defense attorneys know the tactics that may be used against an accused person. The team has handled countless criminal cases and hundreds of successful jury trials.
Prepared for Court
We organize the facts, analyze the law, and prepare each matter with the possibility of hearings or trial in mind.
Direct Communication
Clients receive clear explanations, candid advice, and updates needed to make informed decisions throughout the case.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
From day one they treated my case like it mattered. They fought hard, kept me informed, and got my charges dismissed. I can't recommend this team enough.
James R.
True trial attorneys. The prosecutor clearly did not want to face them. Professional, prepared, and genuinely on my side the whole time.
Michael T.
Responsive, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable. They handled my OWI charge with skill and got me a result I didn't think was possible.
David K.