A former cornerback for the University of Oregon Duck’s has been arrested for theft, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, and violation of his probation. The football player had been previously arrested for driving on a suspended license and arson charges.
His mother claims that her son suffers from CTE, a chronic brain disease that develops after individuals are repeatedly suffer trauma to the head. Football players are notorious for suffering from this brain disease which can cause, among other things, impulsive behavior, substance abuse, memory loss and depression.
While he has a long road ahead, the accused is lucky to have his families support to advocate on his behalf.
Why Does Theft Occur?
There are many different types of theft charges that range from misdemeanors to felonies. Depending on the situation, one person may be charged with multiple counts of theft. This frequently occurs when someone is charged with identify theft of multiple different people. Sometimes allegations of theft are false, but sometimes the individual has stolen for another, mitigating reason.
Some of these reasons may include:
- Out of necessity in a marital or divorce dispute
- Out of hunger or need resulting from poverty
- As rebellious childhood behavior
These mitigating circumstances can be used to the benefit of the person charged with theft if they are attempting to negotiate a deal with the prosecutor to have the charges dismissed.
Penalties for Theft
The penalties for theft can vary dramatically depending on a number of factors. These include whether theft is charged in multiple counts or alongside other crimes. This will increase the penalty if convicted. Additionally, it depends if it is being charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. In many states, this distinction is based on the monetary value of the items stolen and can significantly determine the sentence. Since the penalties can be severe, it is important that anyone charged with theft hires an attorney that is capable of defending them on these charges.
If you or a loved one has been charged with theft, we invite your to contact Gurovich, Berk & Associates at (213) 385-1555. We are located in Los Angeles but have experience working theft cases all around the United States. Our theft attorneys are available to provide you a free consultation so that you can have a better understanding of your case and being to build a defense to the charges of theft.