When someone finds him or herself facing criminal charges in Iowa or any other state or federal jurisdiction, a decision about how to address the charges will need to be made. Regardless of whether misdemeanor or felony charges are involved, Iowa prosecutors have the burden of proving the formal accusations in court and beyond a reasonable doubt. That legal standard is often difficult to meet, even when the evidence initially appears to point toward a defendant’s guilt.
In a recent incident in Iowa, the manager of a jewelry store was arrested on accusations that he stole over $50,000 from the business. Per the official complaint, he supposedly issued false returns for cash, in addition to taking merchandise from the store, allegedly netting him over $52,000. He is now facing one count of first-degree theft.
According to police, the man admitted to both the theft and the fake returns. This felony could be punishable by a sentence of up to 10 years in prison if a conviction is actually obtained. Of course, even with a supposed confession, a number of legal issues remain.
A felony charge is clearly serious, and the knowledgeable counsel of an Iowa criminal defense attorney could prove invaluable. Some cases are best handled by contesting the formal accusations through the entirety of the trial court proceedings. In others, a negotiated plea agreement with prosecutors may be the best approach. In appropriate circumstances, plea deals allow an individual the option of accepting responsibility for certain conduct in exchange for a reduction in charges and/or a lower sentence.
Source: thegazette.com, “North Liberty man accused of stealing more than $50,000 from employer“, Lee Hermiston, Oct. 12, 2017
