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Stages of a Larceny Case

The Blanch Law Firm provides expert criminal defense at all stages of a case–from government investigation and arrest through prosecution and trial–for clients charged with every type of felony and/or misdemeanor. Recent examples of results we produced that were favorable to our clients include the following:

■Our client was charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree (more than $50,000.00) and faced mandatory jail time. We were successful in getting all charges against the client dismissed.
■In addition to six grand larceny counts, our client was charged with six counts of Forgery. Despite a claim that our client had confessed to the crimes, we got all charges dismissed.

Aggressive Defense Starts Early On

Arrest

If you are arrested, you may contact a lawyer immediately because you have the right to counsel. You also have the right to remain silent. As soon as you ask for a lawyer, the police must stop all questioning. Even if you are innocent, do not speak to the police (except to give them identifying information) or discuss the circumstances of your arrest until a lawyer is present.

If you are detained but manage to get a lawyer, the police may release you. After counsel arrives at the police station, you may be given a Desk Appearance Ticket (DAT), allowing you to leave the stationhouse with you lawyer on condition that you return to court on the date indicated.

Bail

For more serious charges, the police may keep you in custody until you are brought before a judge for arraignment, which means that the judge informs you in open court of the charges that were filed against you. The law requires that a defendant be brought to court within 48 hours after an arrest. At arraignment, the judge decides whether to set bail. This is the stage at which attorneys from The Blanch Law Firm can do a great deal for you.

If the judge sets bail, you must post a bond, which means that you must make a cash payment, which the state holds in escrow to insure your return to court. If you can’t make bail, the police will continue to keep you in custody. Depending on the skill of the lawyer advocating on your behalf, a judge may also release without requiring bail. However, certain other conditions may be imposed on your release, which can be burdensome and which our attorneys usually succeed in modifying to produce an outcome more favorable to you.

Before Trial

Our attorneys will file pre-trial motions (requiring the judge to rule on issues about the defendant’s statements or an eyewitness identification of the defendant or other issues raised in evidentiary hearings) and, where possible may obtain dismissal of all charges prior to trial.

Jury Trial

You have the right to trial by jury if you face a sentence of more than six (6) months in jail. To convict you, the prosecution must prove its case “beyond a reasonable doubt”. At trial, attorneys from the Blanch Law Firm will cross-examine the prosecution’s hostile witnesses and counter with friendly witnesses, offer evidence that helps you, and argue in your defense. In countless cases, our attorneys’ courtroom skills have made the difference between a client’s conviction or acquittal.

Appeal

If a judge or jury decides you are guilty, you have the right to appeal, but you must do so within a very limited time frame. The Blanch Law Firm’s experienced and thorough attorneys will immediately file a notice of appeal requesting review by an appellate court. Our record of overturning convictions or obtaining new trials has been first-rate.

We Can Help

If you are facing an investigation for or charges of larceny or theft, don’t hesitate to secure a solid defense team. To arrange an initial consultation, Contact The Blanch Law Firm by calling 646-797-4820.