Theft Lawyers in Edmonton

Section 334 of the Criminal Code identifies two categories of theft:

• Theft under $5,000.
• Theft over $5,000.

A conviction for either can impact career plans, travel, education, immigration status, and more for the rest of your life.

Over the past decade in Edmonton, the team of lawyers at Strategic Criminal Defence has earned the Consumer Choice Award in consecutive years (2025, 2026), achieved a BBB A+ rating, and attracted over 140 5-star Google reviews.

We can defend your theft charge, whether it involves minor shoplifting or large-scale theft over $5,000.

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What is theft, and how can a charge impact you?

Theft is defined under s. 322 of the Criminal Code as the fraudulent taking of someone else’s property with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive them of it, without the belief that you had a legal right to it.

The actions and financial loss resulting from the offence vary but, in each case, theft is considered a breach of societal trust.

Examples of theft charges in Edmonton

Typical actions that lead to theft accusations in Edmonton include:

• A retail worker skims small amounts of cash from the register over several weeks, knowing their employer will not notice until a stocktake is conducted.
• A person slips a bottle of liquor under their jacket at a grocery store and walks past the checkout without paying.
• A financial advisor systematically transfers client funds into a personal account over a period of years, concealing the transactions and depriving clients of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The criminal penalties for theft are outlined here:

For hybrid offences, the Crown decides whether to proceed by indictment or summary conviction, based on the accused’s criminal record and the sophistication of the theft.

There is no mandatory minimum for any theft offence; a judge may impose no jail time at all, particularly for a first-time offender. Your lawyer will work to limit the consequences from the start of the case until it is resolved.

What are the longer-term consequences of a theft conviction?

The long-term consequences can be even harsher than the criminal penalties:

• Employment: Disqualification from finance, oil and gas, law, and other industries, as well as an impact on professional licences.
• Financial: Courts frequently order full restitution under s. 738.
• Housing: Rental applications are routinely denied by landlords.
• Freedom of movement: Probation conditions under s. 732.1 may bar you from specific areas.
• Travel: Theft can bar you permanently from entry into the US.
• Immigration: Theft over $5,000 risks deportation or loss of permanent residency under IRPA s. 36(1).
• DNA databank: For certain offences, the Crown may seek a DNA order under s. 487.051.

What happens after your arrest and charge for theft?

Theft investigations in Edmonton are typically handled by:

• The Edmonton Police Service district patrol officers and follow-up investigators, depending on the complexity of the case.
• The EPS Tactical Response to Auto-theft Prevention (TRAP) team for vehicle-related offences.
• RCMP detachment investigators, if the alleged offence falls outside EPS jurisdiction.

If you’re aware of an investigation or have already been arrested, pre-charge legal advice from a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will seek to prevent your situation from becoming worse and can sometimes prevent charges from being laid.

Will you be held pending bail?

You may be held pending bail for more serious theft charges. Often, however, you will be released after photographing and fingerprinting, on:

• An Appearance Notice requiring you to attend court on a specified date.
• An Undertaking, which is similar to an Appearance Notice but can include additional conditions.

For very minor offences, a police officer may issue an on-scene Appearance Notice, with fingerprinting scheduled for a later date listed on the notice (this must be completed before the first court appearance).

If a bail hearing is required, you will be held for a short time at the arrest processing unit at the police station or transferred to the Edmonton Police Service’s Downtown Division at 9620 103A Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB, T5H 0H7.

You may even be transferred to the Edmonton Remand Centre, at 18415 127 Street NW, Edmonton, until your release.

Regardless of where you are held, a Strategic Criminal Defence lawyer will:

• Meet with you to discuss your bail hearing.
• Inform your family of your whereabouts.
• Represent you at the bail hearing (usually by video from your holding cell).

We will argue for the least restrictive bail conditions, but you may have to:

• Stay away from the complainant(s) and security personnel.
• Stay away from certain locations (e.g., the complainant’s home, workplace, or retail area).
• Check in regularly with a bail supervisor or police officer.
• Reside at a specific address and notify the court of any change.
• Abide by a curfew or house arrest (in serious cases).
• Surrender your passport and remain in the jurisdiction.

We will ensure you understand all of your bail conditions so that you don’t inadvertently breach them and land an additional criminal charge.

How could my theft case be resolved?

A criminal trial is necessary only in a minority of theft cases.

The greater the value of the theft and the more prior offences on the accused’s record, the more likely a trial becomes.

For first-time offenders and minor offences especially, there is a good chance the case will be resolved through a pre-trial resolution, including:

• Alternative Measures Program (AMP): First-time, minor theft under $5,000. Community service, restitution, or donation. Charges withdrawn; no record.
• Restitution order: Full repayment of the stolen property’s value to the victim. Reduces the likelihood of custody, particularly for first-time offenders.
• Conditional discharge: First-time offenders, minor theft only. Complete probation conditions. No conviction registered; record purged after probation ends.
• Peace bond (s. 810): Charges withdrawn in exchange for a court order to keep the peace for up to 12 months. No conviction; may appear on background checks for up to one year.
• Mental Health Diversion: Where a diagnosed mental health condition or addiction directly contributed to the theft. Complete a treatment or counselling plan. Charges withdrawn; no record.
• Indigenous Restorative Justice: Indigenous accused charged with theft offences. Complete a culturally relevant healing or justice plan. Charges withdrawn or sentence reduced.

Charge withdrawal is also possible where the Crown’s evidence is weak, the search or seizure was unlawful, or prosecution is not in the public interest.

We will know more (and advise you accordingly) after we have a full understanding of the evidence and discussed it with the Crown Prosecutor assigned to your case.

What are the main defences for theft?

Your lawyer will scrutinise the Crown’s evidence from the disclosure package obtained after the first appearance.

Based on our careful analysis and any additional evidence that supports your version of events, we will select one of the following defences:

FAQs

Get help with theft charges in Edmonton

If you’ve been charged with theft in Edmonton, a lawyer from Strategic Criminal Defence will:

• Review the specific facts of your case.
• Assess the strength of the Crown’s evidence.
• Build a defence strategy tailored to your charge.
• Discuss pre-trial resolutions with the prosecution.
• Prepare for trial if necessary.

Our theft lawyers provide clear guidance, strong defence strategies, and dedicated support to help protect your rights and pursue the best possible outcome.