Maryland Theft Lawyer | Theft Less Than $1000 | Theft Less Than $100

Theft Lawyer Maryland - G. Randolph Rice, Jr.

Maryland Theft Law - FAQ

The theft laws in Maryland are codified under Maryland Criminal Law Code §7-104.  If you have been charged with theft or facing theft charges in Maryland, call attorney G. Randolph Rice, Jr. at 410-288-2900 or you can click here to email him directly for immediate legal help.

Maryland Theft Lawyer
G. Randolph Rice, Jr
410-288-2900

Maryland Theft Lawyer

If you need a theft lawyer in Maryland, call criminal defense attorney G. Randolph Rice, Jr. at 410-288-2900 for immediate legal help.

What is theft in Maryland?  You can be charged with theft in Maryland under a number of different scenarios.  Below are a the most common theft scenarios in Maryland:

1. Unauthorized control over property. This means a person may not willfully or knowingly obtain or exert unauthorized control over property, if the person: (1) intends to deprive the owner of the property; (2) willfully or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or (3) uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.
2. Unauthorized control over property by deception. This means a person may not obtain control over property by willfully or knowingly using deception, if the person: (1) intends to deprive the owner of the property; (2) willfully or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or (3) uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.
3. Possessing stolen personal property. This means a person may not possess stolen personal property knowing that it has been stolen, or believing that it probably has been stolen, if the person: (i) intends to deprive the owner of the property; (ii) willfully or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or (iii) uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing that the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.  The key to this section is that you believed that probably was stolen. This is one of the more common theft crimes in Maryland, people receive an item and then try to pawn the item and it turns out the item is stolen.  The State will try and prove that the Defendant knew or should have known the item was stolen based on factors such as; where they obtained the item or how much they pawned the item for. 
1. In the case of a person in the business of buying or selling goods, the knowledge required under this subsection may be inferred if: (i) the person possesses or exerts control over property stolen from more than one person on separate occasions; (ii) during the year preceding the criminal possession charged, the person has acquired stolen property in a separate transaction; or (iii) being in the business of buying or selling property of the sort possessed, the person acquired it for a consideration that the person knew was far below a reasonable value.
2. In a prosecution for theft by possession of stolen property under this subsection, it is not a defense that: (i) the person who stole the property has not been convicted, apprehended, or identified; (ii) the defendant stole or participated in the stealing of the property; (iii) the property was provided by law enforcement as part of an investigation, if the property was described to the defendant as being obtained through the commission of theft; or (iv) the stealing of the property did not occur in the State.
3. Unless the person who criminally possesses stolen property participated in the stealing, the person who criminally possesses stolen property and a person who has stolen the property are not accomplices in theft for the purpose of any rule of evidence requiring corroboration of the testimony of an accomplice.
4. Control over property lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake. This means a person may not obtain control over property knowing that the property was lost, mislaid, or was delivered under a mistake as to the identity of the recipient or nature or amount of the property, if the person:
1. knows or learns the identity of the owner or knows, is aware of, or learns of a reasonable method of identifying the owner;
2. fails to take reasonable measures to restore the property to the owner; and
3. intends to deprive the owner permanently of the use or benefit of the property when the person obtains the property or at a later time.
5. Services available only for compensation. This means a person may not obtain the services of another that are available only for compensation:
1. by deception; or
2. with knowledge that the services are provided without the consent of the person providing them.
1. Inference of intention or knowledge. Under this section, an offender's intention or knowledge that a promise would not be performed may not be established by or inferred solely from the fact that the promise was not performed.

If you are in need of a criminal defense lawyer in Maryland a theft case, call attorney Randolph Rice at 410-288-2900 to schedule a free legal consultation.

Penalty for theft in Maryland (Jail and Fines)

1. A person convicted of theft of property or services with a value of at least $1,000 but less than $10,000 is guilty of a felony.  If convicted, the person is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services;
2. A person convicted of theft of property or services with a value of at least $ 10,000 but less than $100,000 is guilty of a felony. If convicted, a person is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.
3. A person convicted of theft $100,000 or more is guilty of a felony is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.
4. A person convicted of theft of property or services with a value of less than $ 1,000, is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $500 or both and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.
5. A person convicted of theft of property or services with a value of less than $100 is guilty of a misdemeanor and is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.

Repeat Offender and Enhanced Penalties for Theft in Maryland

Anyone in  Maryland who has two or more prior convictions under the theft statute and who is convicted of theft of property or services with a value of less than $1,000 is guilty of a misdemeanor and: is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both and shall restore the property taken to the owner or pay the owner the value of the property or services.

For the court to impose that penalty the State's Attorney must serve notice on the defendant or the defendant's counsel before the acceptance of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or at least 15 days before trial that (i) the State will seek the penalties and (ii) lists the alleged prior convictions.

Failure to pay for motor fuel after dispensing in Maryland

If a person is convicted in Maryland of the violation "failure to pay for motor fuel after the motor fuel was dispensed into a vehicle", the court shall: (i) notify the person that the person's driver's license may be suspended under §16-206.1 of the Transportation Article and (ii) notify the Motor Vehicle Administration of the violation.

There is a statute of limitations for failing to pay for motor fuel after dispensing in Maryland. A prosecution for a violation shall be commenced within 2 years after the commission of the crime.

There is also a special jurisdiction and venue rule for failing to pay for motor fuel in Maryland. A person who violates this section by use of an interactive computer service may be prosecuted, indicted, tried, and convicted in any county in which the victim resides or the electronic communication originated or terminated.


If you've been charged with any section of the theft laws in Maryland, call attorney Randolph Rice at 410-288-2900 for immediate legal help.

Police Investigating Subway Robbery in Catonsville

Baltimore County Police Investigating Robbery

Baltimore County Police are investigating the robbery of a Subway store in the 5300 block of Baltimore National Pike in Catonsville.

On January 26 at approximately 8:06 p.m., two suspects approached the store’s manager outside the store and forced him inside. Once inside, the suspects took cash from the safe and fled the scene.

• Suspect #1: Black male 35-45 years old, 5’11”, 200 lbs, wearing a black puffy coat and a black beanie cap with a brim and a white snowflake pattern. 
• Suspect #2: Black male 25-35 years old, 5’11”, 180 lbs, wearing a black puffy vest, black hooded sweatshirt and dark colored jeans. This suspect was armed with a handgun.

Anyone with information on this incident or the suspects is asked to call Baltimore County Police at 410-887-2017 or 410-307-2020, or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.

Callers to Metro Crime Stoppers

Click here to read more for the Baltimore County Police: Police Investigating Subway Robbery in Catonsville

Edgemere Maryland (MD) Lawyer - Criminal Law, DUI, DWI, Traffic Tickets - G. Randolph Rice

Edgemere Maryland (MD) Lawyer

Do you need an attorney in Edgemere Maryland for:

• Criminal Defense;
• DUI;
• DWI;
• Traffic Ticket.

Call the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, at 410-288-2900 for immediate legal help. Attorney Randolph Rice, is a private attorney located at: 6914 Holabird Avenue, Suite A, Baltimore, Maryland 21222.

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Attorney Randolph Rice represents clients charged with:

• Felonies;
• Misdemeanors;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol;
• Driving while impaired by alcohol;
• Drunk Driving; and
• Traffic Tickets.

If you are facing a Court date in one of the following counties or cities, call the office at 410-288-2900 or email Mr. Rice by clicking here.

• Baltimore County;
• Baltimore City;
• Harford County;
• Howard County;
• Anne Arundel County; or
• Ocean City, Maryland.

Mr. Rice has been recognized by his peers as a Super Lawyer - Rising Star and is a member of:

• American Bar Association;
• Maryland Bar Association;
• Baltimore County Bar Association;
• Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association.

G. Randolph Rice, Jr.

Driving on Suspended License in Maryland::Penalty for Driving on Suspended License in Maryland

Driving Motor Vehicle on Highway on Suspended License and Privilege to Drive in Maryland - Call 410-288-2900 for immediate help.

Have you been charged with driving on suspended license in Baltimore County, Harford County, Howard County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City Maryland.  Contact the driving on suspended license defense attorney G. Randolph Rice, Jr., at 410-288-2900.

Mr. Rice is a private attorney that has helped thousands of clients defend and resolve their driving on suspended driver’s license charges.

What is the penalty for Driving on Suspended Driver’s License in Maryland?

It depends on the subsection of the traffic code that you are charged with.

Penalties -- $500 and 2 months. -- Any person who is convicted of a violation of any of the provisions of the following sections of this article is subject to a fine of not more than $ 500 or imprisonment for not more than 2 months or both:
§ 16-303(h) ("Licenses suspended under certain provisions of Code");
§ 16-303(i) ("Licenses suspended under certain provisions of the traffic laws or regulations of another state");

Penalties -- $1,000 and 1 year; $1,000 and 2 years. -- Any person who is convicted of a violation § 16-303(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g) of this article ("Driving while license is canceled, suspended, refused, or revoked")
For a first offense, a fine of not more than $ 1,000, or imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both; and
For any subsequent offense, a fine of not more than $ 1,000, or imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or both.

Is driving on a suspended license a felony or misdemeanor in Maryland?

Click Driving on Suspended License in Maryland::Penalty for Driving on Suspended License in Maryland to learn more.

Criminal Lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland (Md)

Criminal Lawyer in Baltimore, Md.

If you are facing criminal charges in Baltimore County, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Howard County, Ocean City, or any other District or Circuit Court in Maryland, you need to contact the experienced and trusted criminal defense lawyer G. Randolph Rice, Jr., at 410-288-2900.

Mr. Rice is the owner and founder of the Law Offices of G. Randolph Rice, Jr., LLC, and a former Assistant State’s Attorney.  His years of experience and the hundreds of clients he has assisted in resolving their criminal, dui, dwi, and traffic violation cases will prove invaluable in your case.  Contact the office at 410-288-2900 for immediate help, available 24/7 to help.

Mr. Rice is not a bankruptcy lawyer, he isn’t a tax lawyer, he handles criminal cases and focuses his practice on criminal cases.  He has represented client in cases from murder to littering to everything in-between.  Don’t wait till the last minute, if you don’t act fast, you could be waiving some of your constitutional rights through inaction.  Let Mr. Rice worry about the legal process allowing you to focus on returning to a normal life.

Click Criminal Lawyer in Baltimore, Maryland (Md) to read more.

Couple charged in Dundalk High's store stabbing - baltimoresun.com

Couple charged in Dundalk High's store stabbing - baltimoresun.com: "Baltimore County police have charged a couple in connection with a non-fatal stabbing outside a Dundalk High's Dairy Store that occurred after what police believe was an argument over drugs Sunday night.

Shawn Allen Novak, 28, of Baltimore and Ann Marie Preston, 27, of Dundalk, were arrested Monday and face first- and second-degree assault charges, after officers were called about 10 p.m. Sunday to the 6800 of Broening Road in Dundalk for reports of an assault. They found a 32-year-old man with cuts to his upper body. He was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center for treatment."  Click the link above to read more.