Charges for Pickpocketing in Las Vegas

Pickpocketing is common in Las Vegas, especially in crowded areas like casinos and nightclubs. While pickpocketing might seem like a minor crime, getting caught can land you in jail.

Knowing the consequences of pickpocketing can help you stay out of trouble whether you’re visiting or living in Las Vegas.

What’s Pickpocketing?

Pickpocketing is the act of stealing other people’s things from their pockets or bags without their knowledge. Pickpockets mostly take advantage of crowded places to stealthily remove things like phones, wallets, or money from unsuspecting victims. They can steal just as much money as an armed robber without the risk of getting caught.

How Is Pickpocketing Different from Robbery?

Pickpocketing is a less serious form of theft, compared to robbery. Unlike pickpocketing where victims are usually unaware of what’s going on, robbery involves using force or threats to take property from someone.

In Nevada, robbery is considered a serious offense since it involves using violence or threats. It’s classified as a class B felony, and getting caught could land you in jail. Your sentence is determined by the circumstances of your case and your criminal history.

For example, if you used a deadly weapon like a firearm or explosives to commit robbery, you may face a harsher penalty. The impact of the crime on the victim can also influence the severity of the sentence.

How Is Pickpocketing Different From Larceny?

Larceny involves stealing property from others without any physical interaction with them. A good example of larceny is shoplifting. Larceny is different from pickpocketing, whereby the thief steals items directly from the victim.

In Nevada, pickpocketing is classified as a category C felony. However, larceny offenses are categorized based on the value of the stolen property:

1. Category D Felony: Stealing property valued from $1,200 up to $5,000 results in one to four years imprisonment and up to $5,000 in fines.
2. Category C Felony: Offenders who steal property worth $5,000 and less than $25,000 face penalties of one to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
3. Category B Felony: People who steal property valued at $25,000 or more face one to ten years in prison and fines up to $10,000.

Possible Outcomes of Pickpocketing Cases in Las Vegas

Plea Bargaining in Pickpocketing Cases

Many criminal cases, including pickpocketing, offer plea deals to defendants. A plea deal is an agreement between a defendant and a prosecutor where the defendant agrees to plead guilty to receive a lighter sentence or reduced charges. If you are facing pickpocketing charges, your lawyer can negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecutor.

The deal could involve:

1. Reduced Charges: Your charges could be reduced if you plead guilty to a minor offense, such as petty theft, instead of grand larceny.
2. Reduced Sentencing: You may receive a reduced jail term or lighter punishment from the prosecutor if you admit guilt to the initial accusation.

Plea bargaining is mostly used in criminal cases since it enables both parties to reach an agreement quickly and avoid long court proceedings. If you face pickpocketing charges, you should consult with your attorney to determine if a plea bargain is the best course of action for your particular case.

Sentencing Options for Pickpocketing Convictions

Here are some typical sentencing options for pickpocketing convictions:

Felony Pickpocketing Convictions

When convicted of felony pickpocketing, you may face slightly harsher penalties, such as:

1. Prison Time: The penalty for pickpocketing includes potential jail time of up to five years, which depends on the stolen property’s value and the thief’s criminal background.
2. Fines: Offenders convicted of felony pickpocketing could receive a fine as high as $10,000.

Misdemeanor Pickpocketing Convictions

For misdemeanor pickpocketing, the judge may impose:

1. Jail Time: This may be up to six months in jail.
2. Fines: Fines can go up to $1,000.
3. Probation: Probation serves as an alternative to jail time, where you must follow rules set by a probation officer.
4. Community Service: A judge may order community service work as part of a criminal sentence to help the offender compensate for their wrongdoing.

Can Pickpocketing Charges be Expunged?

Being convicted of pickpocketing can have long-lasting effects on your reputation. However, you can have the charges expunged by following the right legal procedures. To qualify for expungement, you must complete your probation period and stay out of legal trouble.

Expunging your criminal record can improve your job search prospects, expand housing opportunities, and improve other aspects of life affected by a criminal history.

Defense Against Pickpocketing Charges

Being convicted of pickpocketing can have serious consequences. You might land in jail or pay huge fines.

It also has lasting negative impacts on your social and professional life. If a potential employer finds out about the conviction, they might reject your application. That’s why you should defend yourself against pickpocketing charges where possible.

With the help of your attorney, you can use the following defenses in your case:

1. False accusations: Unlike robbery, the court doesn’t need evidence of violence or injury to convict someone of pickpocketing. The prosecution can use witness and victim statements to prove your guilt for the crime. As such, it’s quite easy to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit.
2. You owned the property: Ownership rights allow you to reclaim your property without needing someone else’s permission. The court will drop the charges if they agree that the property rightfully belongs to you.
3. Consent from the owner: When a person permits you to take their property, they are aware that you will take it. However, some people could refuse to acknowledge the fact that they gave you permission to take the property, accusing you of pickpocketing.

Avoid Pickpocketing

Pickpocketing might seem like a minor offense, but it can land you in serious trouble. If you’re convicted of pickpocketing in Las Vegas, you could go to jail, pay fines of up to $10,000, or risk getting a permanent criminal record. Whether you’re living or visiting Las Vegas, you should avoid pickpocketing to avoid these serious legal consequences.