Edmonton Property Crime Lawyers Serving Alberta and Western Canada
If you have been charged with a property offence in Edmonton or anywhere in Alberta, it is in your best interest to seek immediate legal counsel from an experienced criminal defence lawyer. Property crimes, such as vandalism and theft, are surprisingly common in Edmonton, and these offences are punished quite harshly.
At Chadi & Company, our experienced property offence lawyers been protecting the rights of individuals charged with property crimes for 30 years. We understand that people make mistakes, and we are not here to judge. We are here to protect your rights, freedom, and reputation.
Even a minor property offence can result in a permanent criminal record, which can haunt you for years, making it difficult to get a job, housing, or even a loan.
Types of Property Crimes
From shoplifting to arson, property offences range widely in type and severity. Common examples of property crimes in Alberta include:
- Trespassing
- Criminal mischief
- Vandalism
- Shoplifting
- Possession of stolen property
- Theft under $5000
- Theft over $5000
- Breaking and entering
- Arson
Depending on the type and severity of your charges, you may qualify to be released on bail, pending a bail hearing. For less serious offences, such as theft under $5000, you may receive a conditional release, which will likely require you to attend scheduled court hearings, report to the police for fingerprinting and avoid returning to the scene of the crime, among other conditions. Failure to comply with these conditions will result in a new charge, on top of the original charge.
Bail hearings are held every day, from 8 AM to midnight in Alberta. In most cases, an individual charged with a more serious property offence will be held in custody until a bail hearing is granted, typically within 24 hours.
Having an Edmonton defence lawyer by your side during this initial hearing can help to ensure that you spend as little time as possible in custody.
Defending Property Offences in Alberta
For less serious offences, such as shoplifting and theft under $5000, an experienced property crime lawyer may be able to negotiate for a pre-trial resolution that will keep you out of jail and prevent the offence from showing up on your criminal record.
One of these pre-trial resolutions, the Alternative Measures Program, will result in a complete withdrawal of charges, once you have successfully completed the program.
Even for more serious offences that disqualify you from such programs, the skilled legal team at Chadi & Company may be able to obtain a Conditional or Absolute Discharge of the charges against you, both of which will avoid a criminal record.
Penalties for Property Crimes in Alberta
As with any crime in Alberta, penalties for property offences vary widely, based largely on the severity of the crime, and whether you have a prior criminal history.
For example, while a conviction for theft of, or damage to, property valued under $5000 carries a penalty of not more than two years in jail, the potential jail sentence is increased to up to 10 years if the property is valued over $5,000.
The legal team at Chadi & Company has helped countless cases across Alberta and Northern Alberta. We will arrange for a pre-trial resolution for certain offences, such as minor acts of vandalism and shoplifting.
Even minor crimes can land you in jail and result in a criminal record if you attempt to defend the charges against you without professional legal representation.
Contact Chadi & Company Today
If you have been charged with a property crime, the skilled legal team at Chadi & Company can help.
We have been protecting the rights of individuals charged with criminal offences for over three decades, and we have an impressive track record of getting charges reduced, or dismissed entirely.
