Theft Crimes Attorney in Cleveland

Nearly Two Decades of Personal, Direct Defense for Theft Charges

When you’re facing a theft charge in Cleveland, who handles your case matters as much as the strategy itself. At Christopher G. Thomarios, Esq., LLC, every theft matter is handled directly by me, Attorney Christopher G. Thomarios. I don’t delegate your file to associates or paralegals. From the first meeting through final resolution, you work with me, and I give you an honest evaluation of where things stand and a defense built around the specifics of your situation.

With offices in both Akron and Cleveland, I’m positioned close to the courts, prosecutors, and judges who shape outcomes in Cuyahoga County and across Northeast Ohio.

How Ohio Classifies Theft Charges

Ohio Revised Code 2913.02 governs theft offenses, and the charge you face depends primarily on the value of the property involved. Understanding where your charge falls on that scale is the first step toward building a realistic defense.

• Petty theft (under $1,000): A first-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 180 days in jail
• Fifth-degree felony ($1,000 to under $7,500): A step up from misdemeanor exposure with real prison consequences
• Grand theft ($7,500 to under $150,000): A fourth-degree felony; a prior felony theft conviction within three years can also trigger this classification
• Aggravated theft ($150,000 to under $750,000): A third-degree felony
• Second-degree felony ($750,000 to under $1.5 million)
• First-degree felony ($1.5 million or more)

Certain circumstances override the value thresholds entirely. Theft of a firearm or dangerous ordnance is automatically charged as a third-degree felony (or a first-degree felony if stolen from a federally licensed firearms dealer), and theft of a motor vehicle or dangerous drug is automatically a fourth-degree felony regardless of the property’s value. When the victim is an elderly person, a disabled adult, an active duty service member, or the spouse of an active duty service member, the charge becomes a felony regardless of value, starting at a minimum fifth-degree felony and increasing based on the amount involved.

Shoplifting, Receiving Stolen Property, & Unauthorized Use

Not every theft case involves a straight taking of property. Several related offenses carry their own consequences and require distinct defense considerations.

Shoplifting and retail theft in Ohio are prosecuted under the same theft statute, graded by the value of the merchandise involved. Knowingly receiving, retaining, or disposing of property obtained through theft is a separate criminal offense, and Ohio courts treat it seriously even when the accused wasn’t present during the original taking. Using another person’s property without consent, when the conduct doesn’t rise to full theft, can still result in an unauthorized-use charge.

These offenses are distinct from burglary and robbery, which involve additional elements such as trespass or force. If you’re facing any of these charges in Cleveland, that distinction matters for how your defense takes shape.

The Civil Liability Side of a Theft Accusation

A criminal charge isn’t always the only legal threat after a theft accusation. Under Ohio Revised Code 2307.61, a property owner can bring a separate civil action against someone accused of a theft offense, seeking compensatory damages plus liquidated damages set at a fixed amount or three times the property’s value, whichever is greater. When the property is valued under $5,000 and the owner sends a proper written demand at least 30 days before filing, the owner may also recover administrative costs and attorney’s fees.

I defend clients against both the criminal charge and the related civil liability arising from the same incident. Addressing both tracks from the start can help reduce financial exposure that sometimes outlasts the criminal case itself.

Courtroom Relationships Built Over Nearly Two Decades

I’ve been practicing criminal defense for nearly two decades, and that history translates into real familiarity with the people and processes that determine how cases move through Cleveland’s courts. I’ve secured dismissals, sentence reductions, and not-guilty verdicts across Northeast Ohio. I’ve been named to Super Lawyers Rising Stars for four consecutive years, and I’m a member of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, the CCDLA Judge4Yourself Panel, and the Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, where I previously served as secretary.

Clients consistently describe me as approachable and calm, and that matters when you’re navigating one of the most stressful situations of your life and need to trust the person guiding your defense.

What to Expect After a Theft Arrest in Cleveland

The period right after an arrest is when decisions carry the most weight. I stay personally involved from our first conversation through the resolution of your case, and my level of attention doesn’t drop as things progress. I respond the same day to client messages, including after hours when something urgent comes up.

I explain what the process actually looks like in plain language: what the hearings mean, what your rights are, what each decision could cost you. I’ll be straight with you about every aspect of your situation, including the parts that are hard to hear. Depending on the degree of the offense and your record, a theft conviction may later be eligible for sealing or expungement under Ohio law, and I can give you an honest read on whether that’s realistic in your case.

Talk to Our Cleveland Theft Lawyer Before You Say Anything Else

Your first consultation is free. I work with clients on payment arrangements that fit their circumstances, without pressure and without hidden fees.