Theft

Legal defence in theft cases

The offence of theft (Article 228 of the Criminal Code) is a standard property offence consisting of taking movable property from another’s possession or custody without consent, with the intention of unlawfully appropriating it. The basic form is punishable by imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years or a fine. Involving a criminal defence lawyer is essential because the statutory elements and circumstances can radically change classification to aggravated theft, with much higher sentencing limits, or open the way to mechanisms extinguishing criminal liability.

Aggravating circumstances, binding judgments and defence strategies

We examine the elements of theft and circumstances that may lead to aggravated classification. Appeal in the interests of the law Decision No. 6/2020 concerns removing or breaking security devices attached to goods, subject to that ruling. Preliminary Ruling No. 4/2022 concerns a mandatory protective mask in the context examined, where it could conceal facial features; not every face covering automatically aggravates the offence. We analyse recordings, rights over the property and intent to appropriate it unlawfully. Under Article 231(2), reconciliation is permitted for Articles 228 and 230, not aggravated theft under Article 229. Its effects are examined under the conditions and deadline of Article 159; returning the property or a civil agreement does not alone close the case. A lawyer can negotiate and support the lawful outcome appropriate to the evidence.

Legal assistance and representation in Focșani and Vrancea County

A disagreement over ownership of shared property, mistakenly taking materials from a construction site or a minor incident in a shopping centre can quickly escalate into a criminal investigation, with risks of fingerprinting, entry in police databases and a conviction affecting your criminal record. Basuc Cosmin Law Office in Focșani provides urgent, confidential and strategic legal assistance. We assist during interviews before criminal investigators in Vrancea County, manage negotiations for compensation with a view to reconciliation and deliver an active defence at trial before Focșani District Court or other courts, seeking a waiver of punishment, deferral of sentencing or acquittal.