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Stealing & Theft Defense

A stealing conviction brands you as dishonest on every background check. Don't let one accusation define you.

★★★★★·“Honest, straightforward and effective.” — Josh★★★★★★·“The most competent attorney in Missouri.” — Brianna★★★★★★·“Professional, honest and tenacious.” — William★★★★★★·“Fair, honest attorney.” — Bryan★★★★★★·“Great guy and awesome lawyer.” — James★★★★★★·“Very professional and forthcoming.” — Jessica★★★★★★·“Best lawyers in St. Charles by far.” — Summer★★★★★★·“Gets the job done in your favor.” — Tim★★★★★★·“By far the best attorney in the state of Missouri.” — Monica★★★★★★·“Professional, knowledgeable, and very responsive.” — Doug H.★★★★★★·“Straightforward and no beating around the bush.” — Farrah★★★★★★·“Very helpful throughout my court procedures.” — Jacob★★★★★★·“Handled everything perfectly and got a great result.” — Maria★★★★★★·“Fair pricing, and did what he said he'd do.” — Bryon★★★★★★·“Always looking for ways to help any way he can.” — Zach★★★★★★·“Goes the extra mile to get your case handled swiftly and fairly.” — Leo★★★★★★·“Extremely professional from start to finish.” — Nick★★★★★★·“Absolutely the best at getting the best outcome.” — Kevy★★★★★★·“Very professional. The best there is.” — Jeff★★★★★★·“Very pleased with the results of his efforts.” — Terrence★★★★★★·“One of the best attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with.” — Bruce★★★★★★·“Completely competent and genuinely cares about his clients.” — Steven★★★★★★·“Always available, responding quickly every time I called.” — Michael★★★★★★·“Handled my case with no penalty. Very kind and caring.” — Kenzie★★★★★★·“Honest, straightforward and effective.” — Josh★★★★★★·“The most competent attorney in Missouri.” — Brianna★★★★★★·“Professional, honest and tenacious.” — William★★★★★★·“Fair, honest attorney.” — Bryan★★★★★★·“Great guy and awesome lawyer.” — James★★★★★★·“Very professional and forthcoming.” — Jessica★★★★★★·“Best lawyers in St. Charles by far.” — Summer★★★★★★·“Gets the job done in your favor.” — Tim★★★★★★·“By far the best attorney in the state of Missouri.” — Monica★★★★★★·“Professional, knowledgeable, and very responsive.” — Doug H.★★★★★★·“Straightforward and no beating around the bush.” — Farrah★★★★★★·“Very helpful throughout my court procedures.” — Jacob★★★★★★·“Handled everything perfectly and got a great result.” — Maria★★★★★★·“Fair pricing, and did what he said he'd do.” — Bryon★★★★★★·“Always looking for ways to help any way he can.” — Zach★★★★★★·“Goes the extra mile to get your case handled swiftly and fairly.” — Leo★★★★★★·“Extremely professional from start to finish.” — Nick★★★★★★·“Absolutely the best at getting the best outcome.” — Kevy★★★★★★·“Very professional. The best there is.” — Jeff★★★★★★·“Very pleased with the results of his efforts.” — Terrence★★★★★★·“One of the best attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with.” — Bruce★★★★★★·“Completely competent and genuinely cares about his clients.” — Steven★★★★★★·“Always available, responding quickly every time I called.” — Michael★★★★★★·“Handled my case with no penalty. Very kind and caring.” — Kenzie★

Stealing might be the most underestimated charge in Missouri. People treat a shoplifting case like a traffic ticket — then discover that a theft conviction is a crime of dishonesty that employers, landlords, and licensing boards treat as a permanent red flag.

Value Drives the Charge

Under RSMo § 570.030, stealing under $750 is generally a misdemeanor, $750 and over becomes a felony, and $25,000+ or certain property types (firearms, vehicles, controlled substances) escalate further. The State's valuation is an allegation, not a fact — and Mike makes them prove it.

How These Cases Get Won

  • Intent. Stealing requires intent to deprive. Misunderstandings, disputed ownership, and honest mistakes are defenses.
  • Identification. Grainy loss-prevention video and cross-racial identifications are fertile ground for reasonable doubt.
  • Restitution-driven resolutions. When trial isn't the right play, Mike negotiates outcomes that keep convictions off your record — diversion, suspended impositions, and amended charges.

First-Time Offenders, Listen Carefully

If this is your first brush with the system, you likely have options that disappear the moment you plead guilty without counsel. Talk to Mike first. One conversation can save your record.

Key Missouri Law

RSMo § 570.030Stealing — penalties scale with value and property type
RSMo § 570.080Receiving stolen property
RSMo § 570.057Organized retail theft

Charged? Here's Your Next Move.

Do not give a statement. Do not consent to a search. Do not plead at your first appearance just to make it stop. Call or text (636)940-7771 — any hour, any day — or send the free case evaluation form and we'll get back to you fast.

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