Theft Offenses and White-Collar Crime

Being charged with theft or white collar crime can result in imprisonment, loss of a career, and, sometimes, just a lot of embarrassment.  If you are under investigation for a theft offense or white-collar crime, if you have already been charged with a theft offense or white-collar crime, or if you have already been convicted but believe your conviction or your sentence was wrong, then call 803-748-9990, toll free 877-728-3734, or email the attorneys at Masella Law Firm, P.A., right away.  They will give you a brief but professional “first impression” analysis of your case and your situation, which will allow you to take an important first step in defending the case against you.
Below you will find just a couple of the many theft offenses and white-collar crimes we handle at Masella Law Firm, P.A.
Petit Larceny; Grand Larceny.

Breach of Trust With Fraudulent Intent.
Fraud.

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Petit Larceny; Grand Larceny.  S.C. Code § 16-13-30.

(A) Simple larceny of any article of goods, choses in action, bank bills, bills receivable, chattels, or other article of personalty of which by law larceny may be committed, or of any fixture, part, or product of the soil severed from the soil by an unlawful act, or has a value of one thousand dollars or less, is petit larceny, a misdemeanor, triable in the magistrate's court. Upon conviction, the person must be fined or imprisoned not more than is permitted by law without presentment or indictment by the grand jury.

(B) Larceny of goods, chattels, instruments, or other personalty valued in excess of one thousand dollars is grand larceny. Upon conviction, the person is guilty of a felony and must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than:

(1) five years if the value of the personalty is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars;

(2) ten years if the value of the personalty is five thousand dollars or more.

Breach of Trust With Fraudulent Intent.  S.C. Code § 16-13-230.

(A) A person committing a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention or a person who hires or counsels another person to commit a breach of trust with a fraudulent intention is guilty of larceny.

(B) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:

(1) misdemeanor triable in magistrate's court if the amount is one thousand dollars or less. Upon conviction, the person must be fined or imprisoned not more than is permitted by law without presentment or indictment by the grand jury;

(2) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than five years if the amount is more than one thousand dollars but less than five thousand dollars;

(3) felony and, upon conviction, must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years if the amount is five thousand dollars or more.

Fraud
Fraud is the knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of an actual fact to induce another person to act to his or her detriment.  If South Carolina law makes an act illegal and subjects the offender to criminal penalties such as fines and imprisonment, then the fraud is “criminal.”  When the deceptive conduct is willful or intentional, the fraud may be charged as a crime.  An example of criminal fraud is the willful evasion of taxes accomplished by filing a fraudulent tax return.  Other examples of criminal fraud include failing to disclose the manufacturer of a recording, altering data, and filing a false insurance claim.  In some situations, failing to pay a hotel, restaurant, recreational attraction, or taxicab driver for their services may be charged as a crime.  Obtaining gas from a gas station and driving off or failing to be able to pay for the gas (such as when a credit card is rejected) may result in a person being arrested and charged with criminal fraud.  Embezzlement and theft by fraudulent actions that are committed willfully or intentionally may also be charged as criminal fraud.