What is the law on Theft in Shawnee Municipal Court?

Shawnee has adopted the Uniform Public Offense Code for Kansas cities, for nearly all of the conduct the city wishes to attach a criminal penalty to. The Uniform Code is a list of ordinances that many cities in Kansas have chosen to adopt for a multitude of reasons including cost savings and uniformity of city laws. Below is the Shawnee City Ordinance prohibiting Theft.

Sec. 6.1. Theft

(a) Theft is any of the following acts done with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the possession, use or benefit of the owner’s property or services. (1) Obtaining or exerting unauthorized control over property or services;

(2) Obtaining control over property or services by deception;

(3) Obtaining control over property or services by threat;

(4) Obtaining control over stolen property or services knowing the property or services to have been stolen by another; or

(5) Knowingly dispensing motor fuel into a storage container or the fuel tank of a motor vehicle at an establishment in which motor fuel is offered for retail sale and leaving the premises of the establishment without making payment for the motor fuel.

(b) Theft of property or services of the value of less than $1,500 is a Class A violation.

As used in this section: (1) Regulated scrap metal means the same as defined in K.S.A. 50-6,109, and amendments thereto; (2) Remote service unit means the same as defined in K.S.A. 9-1111, and amendments thereto, and includes, but is not limited to, automated cash dispensing machines and automated teller machines; and (3) Value means the value of the property or, if the property is regulated scrap metal or a remote service unit, the cost to restore the site of the theft of such regulated scrap metal or remote service unit to its condition at the time immediately prior to the theft of such regulated scrap metal or remote service unit, whichever is greater. (K.S.A. 21-5801)

Possible Punishment

*Class A Violations are punishable by up to 365 days in the Johnson County Jail, however, most Class A Violations are eligible for probation

If you've been charged with Theft in Shawnee Municipal Court what do you do?

You are already doing what you should be doing, researching. If you find yourself in unfamiliar territory it is always best to gather information before you make any decisions. This includes being charged with a crime like theft. The best place to start is by reading the law in which the city claims that you have violated. The next step would be to look at more in-depth information concerning theft crimes in general. It is important to focus on Theft crimes in Kansas as the laws change from State-to-State. If you'd like an in-depth analysis of a theft charge in Kansas look here. Once you have read the law, researched theft crimes in Kansas it's time to sit down with an experienced criminal defense lawyer to evaluate your case and present possible defenses, as well as, give you insight into the Shawnee Municipal Court and the players involved in your case.