Brooklyn Theft Defense Attorneys Who Push Back Fast

An accusation is one thing; a theft arrest in Brooklyn is something else entirely. It’s the commencement of a high-speed prosecution, one that always seems to favor the accuser. And the accuser, in this case, is the state of New York, driven by the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. This office delights in racking up numbers, and theft arrests in particular are top-notch for achieving that goal.

At Petrus Law, we don’t let prosecutors define the narrative before we respond. We swiftly move to preserve video evidence when our clients face larceny charges under New York Penal Law §155.25 (a misdemeanor) or §155.30 (a felony that involves stealing property valued above $1,000). Our team preserves the security video, challenges the probable cause that allowed police to obtain a search warrant in the first place, and subpoenas device logs. We do this before the evidence disappears or gets distorted.

The majority of clients do not understand that in Brooklyn, when it comes to charging people with felony theft, the prosecutors often use estimates as opposed to accurate loss amounts. That is why we pound the prosecutors’ valuations line by line and force them to come up with real numbers instead of just making up a big, scary sum. This is also simple deterrence: if the defendant is in custody, he is not out there stealing.

When your case is about digital access, shared terminals, or controlled substance codes from 21 U.S.C. §812, then you have the risk of stacked charges. We move quickly to sever the unrelated counts and keep the focus of the state narrow.

An uninterrupted stream of work is expected from law enforcement in Brooklyn. It is the same with our offices. We are always open. To contact us, just dial 646-733-4711.

To understand how felony theft cases are prosecuted across New York City, see the overview from the NYS Unified Court System.

Understanding Theft Charge Levels in Brooklyn

A Brooklyn theft case often depends on how the state charges and classifies the crime. That classification, in turn, relies on a few factors, none more important than the value the prosecution assigns to the alleged loss. In Kings County, that number often doesn’t reflect reality. Prosecutors, after all, must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, and they often file felony theft charges before evidence is even verified.

At Petrus Law, we operate before those figures become leverage. We file grievances against discovery that is too late, inflate valuation with challenging details, and cut aggregation tactics that attempt to turn minor indictments into major felonies. Whether you’re accused in Midtown or busted in the Brownsville Projects, the offense level is what matters. It controls where you go, how much time you face, and what leverage they use against you. And the offense level is also what sergeants and detectives, poring over your case, kick up from low to high with dollars and cents.

When Brooklyn Theft Becomes A Felony

When the state claims it is worth more than $1,000, theft charges crossover into felony territory. This charge, which is under New York Penal Law §155.30, is known as grand larceny in the fourth degree. When the state claims the amount is worth less and usually between $500 and $999, a person is more likely to be charged with petit larceny under §155.25, which is a misdemeanor.

This threshold rule applies when what has allegedly been taken is a tangible item. If the item is around $1,000 in value or more, then the person charged is more likely to also be charged with a felony. If what has been taken is a service, then state law doesn’t require as much value for felony charges to apply.

We examine the figures painstakingly. Our group takes apart the components, checks the receipts, and calls into question any inflated invoices and bogus assessments of the product’s age and value. Most prosecutors seem to think that working from internal store spreadsheets or relying on employee “guesses” constitutes real evidence. It isn’t. When we work up to a toehold on the relevant marketplace, the inflated numbers often don’t add up anymore. And that is good for the defendant.

How Value Affects Your Legal Risk

Crossing the $1,000 threshold does more than upgrade the charge. It moves the case to a higher court, changes the prosecutor assigned to the file, and dramatically increases sentencing exposure. A misdemeanor may carry local jail time or probation. A felony larceny conviction in Brooklyn can lead to state prison and permanent damage to your future.

We file motions early to suppress unverified claims and force the DA to support every number. Most stores use “replacement cost” pricing to push valuations higher. We use actual receipts, depreciation reports, and vendor invoices to challenge every dollar claimed.

For insight on sentencing consequences tied to felony charges, see this New York Criminal Defense Lawyers Association article.

Prosecutors Use Total Value To Pressure Pleas

Felony charges are a tool. Prosecutors often use the higher exposure to push plea deals, hoping fear of long prison terms will drive quick decisions. That strategy works best when the defense team accepts the state’s narrative.

We do not accept it. At Petrus Law, we create an early record that refutes value assumptions. That record helps us reduce the charge before it becomes the foundation for a plea deal you can’t afford to take.

Why Charges Get Stacked In Brooklyn

Many felony theft charges in Brooklyn come from stacking smaller incidents. Prosecutors combine events from different days or locations to make the loss total hit the felony threshold. This happens often in large retail operations like Atlantic Terminal, Kings Plaza, or Fulton Street stores.

Our attorneys move quickly to separate unrelated transactions. We isolate dates, review camera footage, and examine system logs to show how each act stands alone. When we block aggregation, we often reduce a felony into a misdemeanor or force a full dismissal.

How Retail Stores Contribute To Charge Stacking

Retail stores and corporate security teams often hand prosecutors packaged reports that group incidents together. These reports skip over context and treat loosely connected acts as part of one continuous theft. The goal is clear. They want a felony.

We pull the original source materials. We demand to see each receipt, each timestamp, and each store’s internal notes. In many Brooklyn theft cases, we find events separated by days or involving items already returned or restocked.

To understand how corporate loss prevention policies can affect your case, visit this guide by the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Transaction Timelines Can Defeat Felony Claims

In multi-incident Brooklyn theft charges, timing matters. If there were breaks between alleged acts, if different staff handled each interaction, or if store policies reset transaction histories between shifts, the case can fall apart.

We use those details to draw clear lines between events. When the case timeline breaks down, so does the state’s ability to justify stacking. That alone can be the difference between a record-clearing misdemeanor and a prison-bound felony.

Why Brooklyn Prosecutors Stack Petty Offenses

In Brooklyn theft cases, the DA’s office often files felony charges by grouping together separate minor incidents. This strategy allows them to reach the felony value threshold even if no single act crossed it. They do this to increase pressure early, often before defense attorneys have seen the evidence.

At Petrus Law, we know how to stop this pattern. Our attorneys move fast to challenge the timeline, isolate events, and separate accusations that never belonged together. We pull footage, demand records, and stop prosecutors from building a case based on shortcuts. If your arrest came out of Fulton Mall, Bay Ridge, or a Downtown Brooklyn retail sweep, you need to act now.

To understand how New York theft laws allow stacking, visit this detailed breakdown from the New York State Defenders Association.

How Charge Inflation Starts In Brooklyn

Theft cases that begin as petty offenses often expand once they land on a prosecutor’s desk. Instead of reviewing the facts on their own terms, many prosecutors compile everything they can to reach a felony. This might include grouping multiple days, involving unrelated store locations, or adding returns and voids into the tally.

Our team stops that momentum before it turns into leverage. We immediately identify which transactions can be legally joined and which cannot. We break that grouping down and cut the loss value under the felony line.

How Store Reports Contribute To Overcharging

In Brooklyn retail cases, loss prevention teams often deliver pre-written narratives built to show a single, high-dollar figure. These reports combine refunds, missed barcodes, or employee suspicion with little objective proof. Prosecutors use these reports as the starting point for stacking charges.

We do not let that slide. At Petrus Law, we request raw reports, individual receipts, and security logs. When those files don’t match the narrative, we file suppression motions and call their version into question.

Explore how corporate data can lead to flawed charges in this report by the Center for Democracy and Technology.

When Aggregation Turns Into Abuse

Kings County prosecutors are allowed to combine multiple theft events under New York Penal Law §155.40, but only when the events are clearly connected. The law does not permit combining loosely related or scattered incidents just to raise the stakes.

We file motions to sever counts and argue that each act must stand on its own. If the law is misapplied, we challenge the felony outright. This approach often leads to charge reductions or full dismissals.

Stacked Charges Increase Plea Pressure

Brooklyn theft cases involving multiple charges often carry higher bail, increased exposure, and greater public pressure. Prosecutors know this. They overcharge to get you to settle fast.

We break that pattern. Our attorneys isolate weak charges, suppress questionable counts, and push back on overvalued claims. When we reduce the volume, we reduce the threat.

Why Early Action Stops Escalation

Once charges are filed, prosecutors move fast. Stacked cases often appear more serious than they are. If the defense does not act quickly, that version of the story becomes hard to unwind.

We don’t wait. We act before indictment, before discovery closes, and before your case hardens into a plea trap. If the accusation involves service claims, device access, or items tied to 21 U.S.C. Subchapter I Part D, we file early motions to strike those enhancements.

Why Early Action Matters In Brooklyn Theft

Once you are arrested for Brooklyn theft, the Kings County District Attorney’s Office starts building its case immediately. Prosecutors pull video clips, inflate loss numbers, and move toward indictment before you ever set foot in court. If your defense team waits, they gain control. If we act first, we shift that power back to you.

At Petrus Law, we step in within hours. We send appearance notices, file discovery demands, and freeze access to video, logs, and internal store records. The faster we act, the less time the prosecution has to shape a version of events that works against you.

To learn more about the timeline of a criminal case in New York City, review this procedural overview from the New York City Bar Association.

Brooklyn Prosecutors Move Fast After Arrest

In theft cases involving chain retailers, corporate loss teams usually send packaged reports to the NYPD before you’re even booked. Those reports often go straight to the DA’s charging unit in Downtown Brooklyn. If no one challenges that evidence early, the state’s version becomes the default.

We do not allow that. Our attorneys intervene before arraignment whenever possible. We inspect store footage, obtain time stamps, and challenge timelines before they reach a grand jury. This strategy keeps the facts from locking in against you.

Acting Early Stops Charge Upgrades

Every Brooklyn theft case carries the risk of escalation. Even a shoplifting complaint at Kings Plaza or Atlantic Terminal can snowball into a felony. Prosecutors look for ways to add value, combine transactions, or introduce allegations tied to 21 U.S.C. §812 to justify more serious charges.

We cut that off. Our team audits every count for legal sufficiency and demands justification for each enhancement. If there is no support for the upgrade, we challenge it in writing before charges stick.

Grand Jury Cases Leave No Room For Delay

In felony theft cases, Brooklyn prosecutors often seek an indictment within days. Grand juries meet regularly in Kings County Supreme Court. If the defense has not already preserved key records or entered objections, the DA gets a clean shot at presenting their story without pushback.

We do not let that happen. At Petrus Law, we make early filings that preserve your right to challenge the indictment. We document where the case lacks probable cause or where the store inflated loss estimates. That changes how prosecutors view the case moving forward.

Preindictment Strategy Creates Leverage

The legal system in Brooklyn rewards speed. Prosecutors who file quickly gain momentum. But defense teams who move first gain control. Early intervention allows us to build leverage before the DA has the chance to stack charges or frame the narrative without challenge.

We use that leverage to push for dismissal, reduce bail, suppress flawed evidence, and avoid the grand jury altogether. This approach gives our clients a head start when it matters most.

Timing Affects Your Future Outcomes

Every Brooklyn theft case has pressure points. Plea offers, bail decisions, and charge reductions all happen fast. If your defense team isn’t ready before those decisions arrive, you lose options. We build your defense from the moment you call.

Do not wait to see what the DA will do. Force them to respond to you instead. Call (646) 733-4711 now for immediate representation.

For more details on pre-indictment motion practice in New York, consult this breakdown from the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

How Petrus Law Pushes Back On Inflated Valuations

In Brooklyn theft cases, prosecutors often build felony charges around value estimates that do not reflect real loss. These inflated valuations usually come from loss prevention teams, store managers, or spreadsheet summaries without verified documentation. When the numbers are wrong, the charge is wrong. That’s where we come in.

At Petrus Law, we break those numbers down. We force the state to justify every dollar. Our attorneys demand original receipts, vendor pricing, condition reports, and footage that tracks what was actually taken, when, and by whom. If the claim is based on rounding, guesses, or outdated pricing, we file to strike it from the case.

To understand how false claims of loss affect prosecution, see this breakdown from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

Prosecutors Inflate Value To Justify Felony Charges

In Brooklyn, the jump from misdemeanor to felony theft often depends on passing the $1,000 threshold. If prosecutors can convince the court that the value hits that mark, even by a dollar, they unlock more serious charges under New York Penal Law §155.30. The problem is, they often rely on inflated numbers to do it.

We challenge those claims from the start. Petrus Law doesn’t accept retail value at face value. We compare listed pricing to market depreciation, damage, and whether the item was returned. That work often brings the loss below the felony line.

We Demand Proof Behind Every Dollar Claimed

Retailers often present inventory logs, internal audits, or manager estimates as if they were facts. These documents are rarely verified. Some use list prices rather than actual transaction amounts. Others include unrelated items or claim losses that were never reported as stolen.

Our team forces them to back it up. We subpoena vendor contracts, payment systems, and reconciliation logs. When they cannot show real proof, we move to suppress the claim and reduce the charge. That strategy has helped many of our clients avoid felony prosecution altogether.

Brooklyn Courts Accept Market Value Over Hype

Courts in Kings County require the state to prove the fair market value of the item at the time it was allegedly taken. They do not allow inflated projections or replacement estimates to define criminal exposure. Prosecutors often try anyway. We stop them.

We bring in real-world valuation data. That includes industry-standard depreciation models, expert statements when needed, and any documentation that shows the actual condition and worth of the item. When the DA cannot meet the burden, we argue for reduction or dismissal.

To explore how courts define property value in theft cases, review this overview from Justia’s criminal defense resources.

Real Numbers Mean Real Leverage

When we tear down inflated valuations, we don’t just lower the charge. We shift leverage. Prosecutors lose the pressure they need to push a quick plea. Judges become more willing to consider diversion or sealing. The entire case softens before it builds momentum.

Our clients benefit when the state’s numbers collapse. That often opens the door to misdemeanor deals, pretrial dismissals, or outcomes that preserve your record and future.

Your Case Deserves A Detailed Valuation Review

If your Brooklyn theft arrest involved items claimed to be worth more than they are, you need a defense team that knows how to fight back. Whether you were stopped outside Kings Plaza, questioned near Crown Heights, or pulled aside at a Midtown chain store, inflated values may be the reason your case escalated.

Call A Brooklyn Theft Attorney Who Moves First And Fights Fast

If you were arrested for theft in Brooklyn, time is not on your side. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office is already building the case. From the moment you are taken in near Kings Plaza, arrested outside Barclays Center, or stopped near Fulton Street, the state begins stacking charges, raising value estimates, and prepping the file for court.

At Petrus Law, we stop that process before it defines your future. We enter early, freeze the evidence, and confront the facts before they harden into felony charges. Whether the accusations involve stacked transactions, device access logs, inflated valuations, or enhancements under 21 U.S.C. Subchapter I Part D, we challenge each element before the DA gains leverage.

Our Brooklyn theft defense attorneys appear daily in Downtown Brooklyn courts. We know the prosecutors, the judges, and the tactics used to trap clients in fast-moving plea deals. That is why we move faster. You do not have to settle for inflated charges or unfair outcomes. You can push back.

Call (646) 733-4711 now for a confidential consultation. If you are facing theft charges anywhere in Brooklyn, from Sheepshead Bay to Bushwick, you need defense that strikes first. Let Petrus Law take control before your case takes control of you.