Theft Defense Attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana

A Theft Charge Is Not a Minor Problem

It seemed minor at the time. Maybe it was a moment of poor judgment at a store on Nelson Road or out at the mall. Maybe it was property that you genuinely believed was yours, or a transaction that went sideways and ended up looking like something it wasn’t. However it happened, you are now holding a citation or a summons, or you’ve already been arrested — and what the State of Louisiana is calling a theft charge is about to follow you in ways you have not fully considered.

A theft conviction in Louisiana — even a misdemeanor — is a conviction for a crime of dishonesty. It shows up on background checks and it stays there. Employers see it. Landlords see it. Professional licensing boards see it. The dollar value of what was taken determines whether you are facing a misdemeanor or a felony, but the reputational consequence of a theft conviction is significant at any level.

I defend theft cases at the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish. I know how these cases are prosecuted, where the evidence is contestable, and how to position a client for the best possible outcome — whether that means a dismissal, a reduction, or a diversion program that keeps the conviction off your record entirely.

If you haven’t already spoken to an attorney, you’re already behind. Contact Colonna Law Firm now.

How Louisiana Classifies Theft by Value

Louisiana’s theft statute (La. R.S. 14:67) classifies the offense by the value of the property taken. The value threshold determines whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony and sets the sentencing range:

The value threshold is also a defense issue. How the State calculates the value of stolen property — and whether that calculation is accurate and legally supportable — is a question I examine in every theft case. A charge that crosses a felony threshold because of a contested valuation is a charge worth fighting on that issue alone.

Shoplifting and Retail Theft in Calcasieu Parish

Shoplifting (La. R.S. 14:67.10) is a separate statute from general theft but follows similar value thresholds. Louisiana law also permits merchants to detain a suspected shoplifter for a reasonable time to investigate, which creates situations where the detention itself — and the evidence gathered during it — can be challenged. I examine the circumstances of every retail theft detention, including whether the merchant had reasonable cause and whether the detention was conducted lawfully.

Calcasieu Parish retailers, including major stores along the I-10 corridor and in the Lake Charles commercial districts, prosecute shoplifting cases aggressively. Loss prevention personnel are trained to build cases, and the evidence they generate — surveillance footage, written statements, merchandise recovery records — is the foundation of the prosecution’s case. I challenge every element of that evidence package.

Related Theft Offenses I Defend

Louisiana’s theft statutes cover a range of offenses beyond simple taking of property:

• Theft by Fraud (La. R.S. 14:67) — misrepresentation or deceit used to obtain property; same value-based penalty structure as simple theft
• Receiving Stolen Things (La. R.S. 14:69) — intentional possession of property known to be stolen; felony if value exceeds $1,000
• Identity Theft (La. R.S. 14:67.16) — use of another person’s personal identifying information without consent; carries up to 10 years and fines depending on the value obtained
• Theft of a Motor Vehicle (La. R.S. 14:67.26) — separate statute with enhanced penalties; carries up to 10 years at hard labor
• Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle (La. R.S. 14:68.4) — taking or using a vehicle without consent, without intent to permanently deprive; carries up to 2 years

Defenses to Theft Charges in Louisiana

The element the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt in every theft case is intent — specifically, the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. That intent element is frequently where the defense lives.

• Lack of intent — a genuine belief that the property was yours, that you had permission, or that a transaction was legitimate defeats the intent element
• Mistaken identity — surveillance footage is not always conclusive; eyewitness identifications in retail settings are frequently unreliable
• Valuation disputes — the State’s calculation of property value may be inflated or legally unsupportable, affecting the grade of the offense
• Unlawful detention or search — evidence obtained through an unlawful merchant detention or law enforcement search may be suppressible
• Restitution and diversion — in appropriate cases, particularly for first offenders, pretrial diversion programs can result in dismissal upon completion

I have defended theft cases at the 14th JDC ranging from misdemeanor shoplifting to felony theft involving significant property values. I handle every case personally from the initial consultation through resolution.

Why Hire Jacob Colonna for a Theft Charge in Lake Charles?

Nobody hires me when they’re having a great day. A theft charge — even a misdemeanor — carries consequences that extend well beyond the courtroom. A conviction for a crime of dishonesty affects employment, professional licensing, and background checks in ways that follow you for years. I take theft cases seriously because the consequences are serious, and I work to achieve the best outcome the facts allow — whether that is a dismissal, a diversion, a reduction, or a verdict.

I have practiced at the 14th Judicial District Court in Calcasieu Parish for more than 17 years. I know how the DA’s Office prosecutes theft cases locally, where the evidence is weakest, and how to position a client for the best possible result. The attorney you meet at the consultation is the attorney who appears in your courtroom.

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