Brooklyn Grand Theft Defense Attorneys Who Fight Back

If you are being looked at or have already been busted for grand theft in Brooklyn, the prosecutors over at the Kings County DA’s Office are likely building a fast-moving, hard-hitting felony case against you. The charges they come at you with will almost certainly be filed under New York Penal Law §155.30, especially if they are claiming the loss was valued over $1,000. These are not petty accusations, they pose a direct threat to your criminal record, to your employment, and to anything else that could come back and bite you in the future.

There is no waiting for indictment at Petrus Law. We couldn’t imagine doing this work without our unique team. It wouldn’t be fun if we didn’t have a combination of roles and personalities pushing us toward objectives. At Petrus, we knock down the doors leading to early discovery, pry open the gates to security footage, and labor to prevent your charges from rising. If you’re nabbed at Kings Plaza, grabbed in Crown Heights, or arrested anywhere between Brooklyn and Manhattan, you need us.

Dial (646) 733-4711 immediately. You can’t afford the luxury of sitting back and watching to see how this unfolds. Your story, as told through your words and with your permission, is already in the hands of Downtown Brooklyn prosecutors. We are the people you can count on to tell it the way you want it told, and to do it right fast.

Facing Felony Grand Larceny in Kings County Court

Felony-level Brooklyn grand theft cases are quick to get started. Kings County prosecutors often begin these cases on the basis of video evidence, complaints from stores, or internal audits. You might not even understand what’s coming your way when the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office does. These are definitely not low-level, kind-of-maybe sort of accusations. Grand larceny charges under New York Penal Law §§ 155.30 through 155.42 can lead to prison time, require paying back what was taken, and can have a seriously negative effect on your jobs, places to live, and immigration, now and in the future.

We enter the process early to intercept it. At Petrus Law, we file discovery demands, take them to the next level, and push back against inflated loss values, weak evidence, and shaky narratives. We make sure that if the police had no probable cause to arrest you, then it gets said, loud and clear, before the case can go any further. And if the cops had probable cause, then we make sure your side of the story is told before the case escalates.

To grasp the distinctions that New York State makes between misdemeanor and felony theft, consult this resource from the New York State Bar Association.

How Brooklyn Prosecutors Inflate Charges

In Brooklyn, the majority of grand larceny accusations commence with values that are mere estimates, not actual numbers that have been checked and verified. Personnel who prevent loss and store managers frequently claim the amounts lost are more than they actually are in order to make the case for charging someone with a felony, even in times when no one seems to have a firm grasp on what the exact amount that was lost may be.

Stacked Transactions Raise the Risk

Prosecutors often combine several different accusations that occurred at different times in different places, adding them together to reach the $1,000 felony threshold. They lump together several low-level claims and treat them as a single offense. We push back. At Petrus Law, we isolate events, look at the records, and give the prosecutors the valuation data they seem to have forgotten. Often, we force the court to rethink the level of charge.

Discover more about the way New York combines offenses under larceny statutes from the New York Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

Felony Charges Without Physical Theft

Brooklyn grand theft charges do not always involve stolen merchandise. Many of our clients face larceny accusations for services, wage disputes, or digital access allegations. These cases require technical defense rooted in facts.

Theft Allegations Involving Services or Billing

Prosecutors often claim a person used unauthorized access, misused payment portals, or accepted services without payment. These cases usually involve financial platforms or account privileges, not stolen property. We bring in technical experts and subpoena internal communications to reveal how businesses misread billing activity or falsely reported intent.

How Early Defense Affects the Charges

Grand theft arrests in Brooklyn typically reach court within 24 to 48 hours. By that point, prosecutors may have already started preparing the case for a grand jury. If you wait to defend yourself, they define the story first.

Grand Jury Timing Leaves No Room for Delay

We step in fast, before the indictment. Our defense team at Petrus Law files to preserve evidence, challenges probable cause, and identifies where police overstepped. The longer prosecutors control the timeline, the harder it becomes to undo the assumptions already in the file.

To understand how grand jury indictments work in New York, visit this overview from the Office of Court Administration.

When Controlled Substance Codes Are Involved

Sometimes prosecutors in Brooklyn attempt to elevate a theft case by linking it to activity involving substances controlled under 21 USC § 812 or Subchapter I Part D. These charges add pressure and increase sentencing exposure even if no actual sale occurred.

We Separate Charges That Do Not Belong Together

Brooklyn prosecutors often stack possession claims with grand theft charges to shape a narrative around criminal intent. These enhancements add years of exposure. Our attorneys move to sever unrelated counts and force prosecutors to explain the connection. If the evidence lacks support, we attack the entire premise.

For legal context on how possession and theft overlap in federal court, see this Justice Department charging policy guide.

What We Do When Value Claims Are Vague

Loss values reported in Brooklyn theft arrests are often based on employee estimates or missing inventory reports. These figures lack documentation and are prone to bias.

Unverified Totals Can Collapse the Case

When the numbers cannot be proven, we file to suppress those claims. We bring in industry professionals to evaluate replacement cost, depreciation, and inventory practices. Our job is to prevent exaggerated valuations from justifying a felony.

For insight into evidence sufficiency in theft prosecutions, review this guide from the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

How Value Enhancements Can Escalate Your Brooklyn Theft Charge

In Brooklyn grand theft cases, prosecutors often build felony charges around inflated dollar values. Even when no merchandise was taken, or no sale occurred, the state may assign high estimates to increase sentencing risk. At Petrus Law, we challenge these estimates line by line. We file early motions to review loss data, subpoena original receipts, and expose exaggerations before they shape a plea offer or indictment.

If the DA claims a felony because the value crossed $1,000, we force them to prove that number with legally admissible evidence. Most of the time, they rely on summary documents, spreadsheets, or testimony from staff with no forensic background. We don’t accept their math at face value. We bring in valuation experts and make the court look at the real numbers.

To understand how property valuation affects New York theft sentencing, refer to this overview from the New York City Criminal Justice Agency.

Brooklyn Prosecutors Combine Separate Incidents

When theft allegations come from multiple days or different transactions, the Kings County DA may group those acts together to meet the felony threshold. This strategy creates pressure fast. It also opens the door for overcharging.

We Split Transactions That Do Not Belong Together

Our legal team often finds that these accusations involve separate receipts, different shifts, or gaps in access. We file to separate unrelated events and prevent prosecutors from stacking the charge unfairly. When the total drops below $1,000, we push to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor and keep the case out of Supreme Court.

To see how New York handles aggregated theft charges, read this breakdown from the Legal Aid Society.

Loss Totals Often Lack Proper Documentation

In retail and employer-based cases, the state frequently relies on internal loss reports or basic inventory logs. These documents are rarely certified and often skip key details like depreciation or prior use.

We Challenge Reports That Lack Proof

Prosecutors must show actual loss, not speculation. We subpoena vendor records, employee audit trails, and delivery data to catch inconsistencies. If the loss was estimated but never verified, we file to exclude it. Our firm’s detailed approach often forces the DA to downgrade the case.

For legal context on discovery standards in criminal cases, visit the New York State Defenders Association.

Alleged Loss Must Be Tied to You

It’s not enough for prosecutors to say something was missing. They must show that the specific items they value were taken by you or under your control. When they cannot do that, the felony falls apart.

We Demand a Clear Chain of Custody

We analyze when the property was last seen, who had access, and how the loss was discovered. If the timeline does not connect to you, we move to strike the charges. This is especially important in high-traffic workplaces, storage areas, or shared access environments.

Value Claims Are Often Based on Replacement Cost

Retailers often claim loss based on what it costs to replace the item today, not its original price or current market value. That inflated figure can unfairly push a petty offense into felony territory.

We Push for Accurate Valuation Standards

Our team documents the condition of the item, prior use, and market depreciation. We bring in valuation specialists when needed to show the real number. That approach shifts leverage back to you. Prosecutors hate when their numbers don’t hold up.

When Brooklyn Theft Charges Start at Work

A large number of Brooklyn grand theft arrests begin with employer complaints. These cases often involve internal audits, access to cash, or system credentials in high-turnover retail, warehouse, or hospitality jobs. If your employer has filed a report with NYPD, they may already be working with the Kings County DA to press felony charges under New York Penal Law § 155.35 or higher. We do not wait to respond.

At Petrus Law, we immediately intervene to question the assumptions behind the accusation. We pull internal memos, staff schedules, shift assignments, and system logs before the employer hands prosecutors a one-sided version of the story. Our legal team pushes back before workplace bias becomes courtroom evidence.

To learn how employment-related allegations move into felony charges, see this employer guidance page from the New York State Department of Labor.

Supervisors File Reports Without Full Context

In Brooklyn, workplace theft allegations are often shaped by strained relationships, performance issues, or retaliation after disciplinary action. A single supervisor’s word can trigger a felony investigation.

We Uncover Bias in Internal Reports

Our attorneys review HR files, emails, and personnel history to reveal patterns that call credibility into question. If your employer used an internal report to justify a criminal referral, we force them to provide every draft and every version of that document. We show prosecutors what they left out.

For insight into due process concerns in workplace investigations, refer to this analysis from Cornell ILR School.

Shared Devices and Logins Create Confusion

In many jobs, employees use shared terminals, point-of-sale systems, or handheld devices. These platforms track transactions, but they do not always track identity accurately.

We Prove You Did Not Act Alone

If multiple staff members used the same login or terminal, the chain of responsibility falls apart. We obtain access records, vendor audit trails, and IT logs to show how shared use breaks the assumption that you acted alone. When the timeline doesn’t match, we force the DA to backtrack.

To understand how digital evidence is evaluated in criminal cases, review this resource from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Cash Drawer Shortages Do Not Equal Theft

When daily deposits don’t match the register total, employers often suspect theft. In Brooklyn, these accusations turn into criminal charges fast, even when they are based on rounding errors, skipped forms, or vendor delays.

We Push for Verification Before Indictment

Our defense team investigates who counted the drawer, what was recorded, and whether anyone else had access. We demand the surveillance video, the reconciliation logs, and the audit trail. If the employer cannot confirm the shortage, we argue the charge has no foundation.

For more on how cash discrepancies are misinterpreted, see this discussion from the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

Unauthorized Access Claims Lead to Overcharging

If your job involved credentials, logins, or database access, you could be accused of using that access to misappropriate funds, adjust discounts, or change payroll data. These accusations often lead to stacked felony charges.

We Cut Through the Digital Narrative

We retain IT consultants to review device logs, permission structures, and internal updates. If the software did not track user activity accurately, or if multiple users had access, we break the state’s assumption that your login proves intent.

Digital Access and Device Misuse in Brooklyn Theft Cases

In Brooklyn, grand theft allegations increasingly involve claims of digital misuse. Whether you’re accused of changing account data, logging into a restricted system, or using store credentials improperly, prosecutors in Kings County often treat digital access as intent to steal. These cases typically rely on login histories, internal audit software, and user activity reports that are often misunderstood or misrepresented.

At Petrus Law, we do not let prosecutors simplify complex systems into criminal claims. We hire forensic analysts, subpoena IT logs, and examine every access point tied to your name. If the system lacks clear user tracking or access control, we show how the data proves nothing. The burden is on the state to prove you used digital tools with criminal intent. We force them to meet that standard.

To understand how digital evidence is interpreted in legal settings, see the American Bar Association’s guidelines on electronic data.

Shared Logins Are Not Proof of Theft

In many workplaces, multiple employees use the same terminal or login ID. In busy Brooklyn stores or warehouses, this is routine. That creates confusion when theft is suspected, especially when no one tracks who used the system at what time.

We Show How Access Overlaps Create Doubt

Our defense team maps out workstation access, staffing patterns, and terminal use to break down the prosecution’s narrative. If you had access, that does not mean you committed a crime. We show how others could have used the same system, or how the device failed to track users properly.

For national standards on login accountability and system tracking, consult the SANS Institute cybersecurity research.

Device Activity Alone Does Not Prove Intent

Kings County prosecutors often claim that browsing history, printer logs, or exported files show intent to commit theft. But that data rarely shows who used the device or why the action occurred.

We Break the Connection Between Use and Guilt

At Petrus Law, we demand complete logs. We do not accept screenshots or summaries. If the data does not show your ID, your location, and your intent beyond a doubt, we file to strike it. Our legal team builds a timeline that shows normal use, not criminal conduct.

To learn how courts evaluate device activity, see this digital forensics guide from the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists.

Brooklyn Employers Misread Security Software

Companies often rely on retail software, payroll systems, or proprietary platforms to flag suspicious activity. These platforms are designed to prevent losses, not to prove crimes.

We Cross-Examine the Technology and the Testimony

We analyze the employer’s security platform and demand training records from staff who flagged your account. If the person misunderstood a software alert, or the software flagged something routine, we bring that out in court. Brooklyn prosecutors often accept internal findings without digging deeper. We do not.

For a deep dive into how workplace monitoring tools can fail, read this study from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

Timing Conflicts Can Break the Case

When you are accused of misusing a system, timing matters. If you were off shift, on break, or in another location, prosecutors must account for that.

We Build Precise Timelines That Show Reality

We compare the timestamp from the digital evidence to clock-in data, shift logs, and security footage. If you were not present, the digital access cannot be yours. These mismatches are common in Brooklyn theft cases involving stores, hospitals, and logistics firms.

To understand the importance of timeline analysis in defense, see this investigative overview from The Innocence Project.

Call a Brooklyn Grand Theft Lawyer Today

If you were arrested for Brooklyn grand theft, now is the time to act. The Kings County District Attorney’s Office does not wait. They file felony charges fast, stack accusations, and move toward indictment before most defendants understand what is happening. That momentum only grows stronger with time. You need a defense that moves faster.

At Petrus Law, we build immediate strategy. We subpoena surveillance footage, request digital logs, and force the state to justify its version of events. Whether your case involves workplace accusations, inflated valuations, or digital access claims, we take control before the system does. From Fulton Street to Canarsie, our team protects clients charged with grand larceny and related felonies across Brooklyn.

You do not have to face these charges alone. We fight to suppress bad evidence, prevent unnecessary upgrades, and negotiate outcomes that protect your future. Every case begins with a conversation. Speak to a Brooklyn grand theft defense attorney who knows the local courts and pushes back before the charges lock in.

Call (646) 733-4711 now for a confidential case review. Or visit our Criminal Defense page to see how we defend clients across all five boroughs.