Theft Crimes REAL PEOPLE. REAL RESULTS.

Theft Charges in Nashville

Nashville Theft Defense Backed by More Than 100 Years of Combined Attorney Experience

A theft case can turn on details that aren’t obvious from an arrest report or store complaint. Intent, effective consent, identification, possession, and the value of the property or services may all affect the charge and available defenses. We examine those facts before advising a client on the next step.

Our criminal defense team represents people accused of shoplifting, burglary, and other theft crimes. Before discussing the incident with investigators, store personnel, or potential witnesses, consider how your statements could become evidence.

Call (615) 805-6374 to discuss the allegation directly with one of our attorneys.

Serving Nashville Since 1981 With Direct Attorney Access

Flexer Law has served Nashville since 1981. Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined legal experience to state and federal criminal cases, including proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. During your initial consultation, you’ll meet directly with an attorney rather than relying on intake staff or a paralegal to evaluate the legal issues. This conversation allows us to identify the exact accusation, procedural stage, and evidence requiring closer review.

What to Bring to Your Initial Consultation

Bring whatever information is available, even if you don’t have a complete case file. A citation, summons, arrest warrant, bond document, or indictment can identify the charge, court, and upcoming deadlines.

Useful materials may include:

Charging documents and court-date notices
Bond or release paperwork
Messages from a store, investigator, or law enforcement officer
Receipts, photographs, or other documents connected to the disputed property
A private timeline of events and potential witnesses

We represent clients facing criminal allegations throughout Middle Tennessee from offices in Nashville, Murfreesboro, and Columbia.

How Tennessee Classifies Theft Charges by Value

Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-14-103 defines theft of property as knowingly obtaining or exercising control over property without the owner’s effective consent and with the intent to deprive the owner of it. Effective consent is legally valid permission from someone authorized to give it. The prosecution must prove each required element beyond a reasonable doubt.

Property valuation can determine whether an allegation is charged as a misdemeanor or felony. Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-14-105 establishes the current grading ranges. The state may aggregate the value of multiple alleged acts into one count when they arise from a common scheme, purpose, intent, or enterprise. Theft of a firearm valued below $2,500 is a Class E felony and carries a statutory minimum period of confinement in addition to other authorized punishment.

The classifications generally include:

$1,000 or less: Class A misdemeanor, subject to the firearm exception
More than $1,000 but less than $2,500: Class E felony
$2,500 or more but less than $10,000: Class D felony
$10,000 or more but less than $60,000: Class C felony
$60,000 or more but less than $250,000: Class B felony
$250,000 or more: Class A felony

How Shoplifting Differs From Related Offenses

Shoplifting charges may involve surveillance footage, concealed merchandise, store identification procedures, and disputed intent. Returning merchandise or offering payment doesn’t automatically end a criminal case, although those circumstances may remain relevant to the evidence.

Theft of services involves allegations that someone obtained services without payment or effective consent. Cases involving deception or receiving stolen property raise different questions about knowledge, representations, possession, and ownership.

Burglary and robbery aren’t interchangeable with theft. Burglary involves unlawful entry or remaining under circumstances defined by statute, while robbery generally involves taking property from another person through violence or fear. The charging document must be reviewed to identify the precise offense and the elements the prosecution must prove.

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Building a Defense to Nashville Theft Charges

We evaluate each defense based on the specific accusation and available evidence. Our review may examine whether the state can prove identity, intent, lack of consent, ownership, possession, and value beyond a reasonable doubt.

Reviewing the Evidence

Surveillance video should be examined for its source, completeness, clarity, and handling. Witness credibility, identification procedures, statements, search methods, and chain of custody may also affect the case. Chain of custody is the documented history of who collected, stored, transferred, and tested an item of evidence.

We also assess whether a search lacked probable cause or violated constitutional protections. When supported by the facts and law, those issues may provide grounds to challenge particular evidence.

Possible Paths Through a Tennessee Theft Case

A case may be resolved through dismissal, a negotiated plea agreement, trial, or pretrial diversion for an eligible defendant. Pretrial diversion can postpone prosecution under court-approved conditions, but eligibility and availability depend on the charge, criminal record, and applicable law.

The evidence, potential consequences, procedural options, and client’s goals determine whether negotiations or trial warrant consideration. Each option carries different risks, timing, and possible outcomes.

The Davidson County Court Process

Misdemeanor cases in Nashville are generally handled in General Sessions Court. The court also conducts preliminary hearings in felony cases to determine whether sufficient cause exists to move the accusation forward.

A felony that continues beyond preliminary review may proceed to the Davidson County Grand Jury. If the Grand Jury returns an indictment, formal prosecution moves to Davidson County Criminal Court. The procedural stage affects discovery, motions, hearing preparation, and upcoming deadlines.

Protect Your Options Before Court

Check your paperwork for the named offense, court location, release conditions, and appearance date. Missing a required appearance can create an additional problem separate from the original allegation. Don’t assume that a low property value, returned merchandise, or payment to a business automatically resolves the charge. Preserve potentially relevant messages, receipts, photographs, and documents for your attorney to review.

Get a Fact-Specific Review of Your Theft Case

Contact us with your paperwork and timeline. We can identify the accusation, applicable value range, current court stage, and evidence that deserves attention. You don’t need to determine the right defense or procedural option before reaching out.

We provide direct attorney guidance informed by decades of service to Nashville and Middle Tennessee.

Call (615) 805-6374 to speak with Flexer Law about your next steps.