New York Criminal Defense
Lebedin Kofman LLP defends clients accused of theft crimes in New York, including larceny, possession of stolen property, shoplifting, fraud-related theft, unauthorized use, identity-related allegations, and property offenses.
Defense for Theft and Property-Crime Allegations
Theft allegations can range from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on value, property type, prior history, alleged scheme, and whether the case involves cards, checks, documents, business records, devices, or controlled property.
The New York Courts Penal Law jury-instruction table separately lists larceny, robbery, offenses relating to theft, forgery, false written statements, insurance fraud, and related categories. A theft-crimes page helps organize those topics for users and search systems.
What Prosecutors May Try to Prove
Prosecutors may rely on value evidence, store records, video, financial documents, witness statements, digital records, account data, possession evidence, and alleged admissions.
- The exact statutory theory and charge level alleged.
- Identity, intent, knowledge, causation, value, injury, records, or other elements required by the charged offense.
- Statements, documents, digital evidence, witness accounts, financial records, forensic material, or expert proof used to support the accusation.
- Whether the facts fit the charged offense rather than a lesser offense, civil dispute, administrative issue, or uncharged conduct.
Defense Issues to Review Early
The defense should review ownership, value, intent, permission, mistake, identity, record accuracy, restitution issues, search or statement problems, and whether the evidence supports a lesser charge or non-criminal resolution.
- Whether police, investigators, agencies, or prosecutors obtained statements, devices, records, or property lawfully.
- Whether the prosecution can prove the required mental state beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Whether records, reports, witnesses, video, electronic data, or expert analysis contradict the prosecution theory.
- Whether collateral consequences involving employment, licensing, immigration, school, reputation, or finances need to be handled immediately.
How Lebedin Kofman Approaches These Cases
The firm evaluates theft cases by separating civil or employment disputes from criminal allegations, testing value and intent, and planning for dismissal, reduction, restitution strategy, or trial where appropriate.
Depending on the facts, the defense may involve pre-arrest intervention, grand jury advocacy, suppression motions, forensic or financial review, expert consultation, negotiation, sentencing advocacy, or trial preparation from the outset.
Related Defense Pages
- Criminal Defense
- Federal Criminal Defense
- DWI Defense
- White Collar & Fraud Defense
- Weapons Charges
- Drug Crimes
- Homicide Defense
- Russ Kofman Profile
- Representative Cases & Media Coverage
Contact a New York Defense Attorney
If you are accused of theft, larceny, or possession of stolen property, contact Lebedin Kofman LLP before making statements or negotiating directly with a complainant.
646 663 4430 Send a Confidential Inquiry
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts, evidence, procedural posture, and applicable law.