Being accused of a property crime can feel frightening and overwhelming. Many people never expect to face criminal charges, so when it happens, it can be hard to know what to do next. You may be worried about fines, jail time, or how a charge could affect your job, housing, or future background checks.
At Touma Law Group, our criminal defense team represents people in Anderson and throughout South Carolina who face property crime allegations. We review the facts, explain the charge, and talk through the options. If you are under investigation or already charged, speaking with a lawyer early is worth considering. A licensed South Carolina attorney at the firm must review the facts of a case before anyone relies on the general information on this page.
If you are facing a property crime charge, do not wait to get help. Contact Touma Law Group today for a confidential consultation to talk about your situation.
Understanding Property Crimes Under South Carolina Criminal Law
Property crimes are criminal offenses that involve taking, damaging, or misusing property that does not belong to you. Many of them are in Title 16 of the South Carolina Code of Laws. These cases do not always involve physical harm, but they are still criminal charges.
A conviction, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, creates a criminal record. A record can come up in employment, housing, professional license, and background check settings. For many property offenses, the value of the property decides whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony.
Common Property Crimes We Handle in Anderson, SC
Touma Law Group represents clients in a range of property-related cases, including the following. Penalties come from the statute cited and can be different for each charge.
- Larceny and shoplifting. Larceny of property valued at $2,000 or less is a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 30 days. Above $2,000 it is a felony, with up to five years if the value is under $10,000 and up to ten years if it is $10,000 or more (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-30). Shoplifting has its own statute with the same value tiers (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-110). See petit vs. grand larceny and shoplifting penalties.
- Burglary. Burglary does not require forced entry. It involves entering a building or dwelling without consent and with intent to commit a crime inside. First degree burglary is a felony punishable by life imprisonment, though the court may sentence a defendant to not less than fifteen years (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-311). Second degree is a felony with up to ten years for a dwelling and up to fifteen years for another building (§ 16-11-312). Third degree is a felony with up to five years for a first offense and up to ten for a second (§ 16-11-313).
- Criminal trespass. Entering another person’s land or premises after notice, or refusing to leave when asked, can be charged under S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-600 and following. See our page on criminal trespass in South Carolina.
- Property damage and fire. Willful and malicious injury to personal property is covered by § 16-11-510, and injury to a tree, house, outside fence, or fixture of another by § 16-11-520. Both use the same value tiers as larceny. Arson is in § 16-11-110 and is divided into three degrees.
- Receiving stolen goods. It is unlawful to buy, receive, or possess goods that the person knows or has reason to believe are stolen, whether or not anyone is convicted of the theft (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-180).
- Theft by deception. Obtaining a signature or property by false pretense with intent to cheat and defraud is covered by S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-240.
- Breach of trust and misappropriation. A breach of trust with fraudulent intention is larceny under S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-230, which can arise in workplace or business disputes.
- Identity fraud. Financial identity fraud and identity fraud are covered by S.C. Code Ann. § 16-13-510.
- Armed robbery. Robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, or while alleging that one was used, is a felony with a mandatory minimum term of not less than ten years and not more than thirty years (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-330). It is one of the most serious property-related offenses.
The details of each charge, including the value of the property and the alleged intent, play a major role in how the case is handled and what penalties may apply.
How Property Crime Charges Can Affect Your Life
Property crime penalties can extend beyond the courtroom. Possible consequences include:
- Jail or prison time, as set by the statute charged
- Fines and court costs
- Probation requirements
- Community service
- Restitution to alleged victims
- Difficulty with background checks
Even a first offense can have lasting consequences. An attorney can explain the specific statute and penalty range in your case.
Learn More: South Carolina laws on burglary and property crimes.
What to Do If You Are Accused of a Property Crime
If you are questioned or arrested for a property crime, your next steps matter. You may want to:
- Decline to discuss the case with law enforcement until you have spoken with an attorney
- Avoid explaining or justifying the situation on your own
- Preserve documents, receipts, texts, or messages related to the case
- Contact a defense attorney as soon as possible
Early legal advice can help you understand the charge and the process from the start.
Reviewing the Defense of a Property Crime Case
At Touma Law Group, every case begins with a careful review of the facts. Depending on the case, that review may look at:
- Whether the evidence shows criminal intent
- Who owned the property and who had a right to possess it
- Whether the value alleged by the State is supported, since value decides the tier for many offenses
- Whether witnesses are reliable and whether their statements conflict
- Whether police conduct and search procedures followed the law
- How evidence was handled
In cases involving fire or serious property damage, a review may include the fire investigation and any dispute involving an insurance policy. No attorney can promise a particular result.
Exploring Alternatives to Conviction
Not every case ends in a conviction. Depending on the facts, options may include:
- A negotiated plea
- Admission to a pretrial intervention program, which is available only if the circuit solicitor admits the person (S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-30 and following)
- Restitution to the alleged victim
- Other negotiated resolutions with the prosecutor
A person who completes a pretrial intervention program successfully may apply to the court for an order to destroy the arrest records (S.C. Code Ann. § 17-22-150). Whether any option is available depends on the charge and the person’s record.
Learn More: Should I Plead Guilty?
Talking With Touma Law Group
We know that a property crime charge can create stress and uncertainty. Our criminal defense team tries to explain the charge in plain language and to review the evidence with you at each stage of the case. We look at the facts of your situation instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Take the Next Step
A property crime accusation is serious, but a charge is not a conviction. A lawyer can review the evidence and explain what options may exist in your case.
If you are facing property crime charges in Anderson, South Carolina, contact our office at (864) 777-8062 to speak with an attorney. A licensed South Carolina attorney at the firm must review the facts of your case before you rely on any general information on this page.
