Hillsboro · Portland, Oregon
Oregon Theft & Property Crimes Defense — Protecting Your Record, Your Career, and Your Future
A theft conviction — even a misdemeanor — is a permanent mark against your character that can follow you into job applications, background checks, and professional licensing. Casey Kovacic provides experienced defense for the full spectrum of Oregon property crimes, from shoplifting to felony burglary and identity theft.
Facing a Theft or Property Crime Charge in Oregon
Even a Misdemeanor Theft Conviction Can Change Your Life
Oregon theft and property crimes cover a wide range of offenses — from misdemeanor shoplifting to felony burglary, robbery, embezzlement, identity theft, and fraud. The specific charge you face, the dollar amount involved, your prior record, and whether the offense involved a physical encounter with a victim all determine how seriously it will be prosecuted and what penalties you may face.
What many people don’t fully appreciate is the collateral damage a theft conviction — even a misdemeanor — can cause. Beyond jail time and fines, a conviction is a permanent black mark against your character. It can cost you a job offer, a professional license, a volunteer opportunity with your children’s school, or admission to an educational program. These long-term consequences are often more damaging than the formal sentence itself.
Casey Kovacic represents Oregonians at all stages of property crimes cases — from the initial investigation through negotiation, trial, and sentencing. His goal is not just to defend the charge but to protect your record and minimize the long-term impact of the accusation on your life. He will provide sound advice and effective representation whether your case involves shoplifting, burglary, identity theft, embezzlement, or any other property offense.
Repeat property offenders may also face enhanced penalties under Oregon’s Measure 57 law, which can impose presumptive prison terms on certain repeat offenders. If this applies to your situation, experienced counsel is especially critical.
Full Spectrum of Property Offenses
Theft & Property Crimes Casey Kovacic Defends
Casey has handled every type of Oregon property crime — from low-level misdemeanor theft to serious felony charges involving burglary, robbery, and financial fraud — in Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, and other Oregon counties.
Theft I, II & III
Oregon theft charges are tiered by the value of the property involved. Theft III is a misdemeanor, while Theft I and II can be felonies depending on the dollar amount. Even misdemeanor theft convictions carry lasting consequences — Casey works to minimize or eliminate the impact on your record.
Burglary I & II
Burglary is unlawfully entering another’s property with the intent to commit a criminal act inside. Both Burglary I and Burglary II are serious felonies in Oregon, and sentences can be extremely harsh — Burglary I is a Measure 11 offense. Casey has the experience to build an effective defense against these charges.
Robbery
Robbery — theft involving force or the threat of force — is among the most serious property crimes in Oregon. Robbery I and II are Measure 11 offenses carrying mandatory minimum prison sentences. The specific facts of what occurred and any claim of self-defense or mistaken identity are central to the defense.
Identity Theft & Credit Card Fraud
Oregon identity theft charges arise from the unauthorized use of another person’s identifying information. These cases often involve extensive digital evidence and can be charged at both the state and federal level. Casey examines how the evidence was obtained and whether the prosecution can establish criminal intent.
Employee Theft & Embezzlement
Employee theft and embezzlement charges typically involve the misappropriation of funds or property belonging to an employer. These cases often arise from workplace disputes or accounting discrepancies and require careful analysis of the financial evidence and the circumstances surrounding the alleged conduct.
Forgery & Fraud
Forgery, check fraud, and possession of forged instruments are prosecuted aggressively in Oregon. These “white collar” offenses can be charged as felonies regardless of the dollar amount involved, and a conviction can permanently affect your professional reputation and career opportunities.
Vehicle Theft & Unauthorized Use
Unauthorized use of a vehicle (UUV) and possession of a stolen vehicle are distinct offenses with different elements and penalties. Casey examines whether the prosecution can establish that the defendant knew the vehicle was stolen and whether any consent — even informal consent — was given.
Criminal Mischief & Property Damage
Criminal mischief charges cover intentional damage to another’s property and range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the extent of the damage. These cases often turn on questions of intent and the accuracy of the damage valuation used to determine the severity of the charge.
Receiving Stolen Property
Receiving stolen property charges require the prosecution to prove that the defendant knew — or should have known — that the property was stolen. Casey challenges the prosecution’s ability to establish this knowledge, particularly in cases where property changed hands through secondary transactions.
What’s at Stake
The Consequences of a Theft or Property Crime Conviction
The formal penalties for Oregon theft and property crimes depend heavily on the specific charge — but the collateral consequences of any conviction can be significant, regardless of the sentence. Casey’s goal is to keep you out of jail or prison if possible and to minimize the future impact of the arrest on your life.
Even a misdemeanor theft conviction can affect professional licenses, career paths, job opportunities, volunteer activities, housing applications, and educational admissions. A felony conviction compounds all of these consequences and can follow you indefinitely.
In addition to formal criminal penalties, theft convictions can trigger civil liability — the alleged victim may pursue a civil judgment independently of the criminal case. An experienced attorney considers both dimensions when building your defense strategy.
- Jail / Prison Misdemeanor theft: up to 364 days in county jail; felony burglary and robbery can mean years in state prison
- Fines Court fines, fees, and mandatory restitution to the victim for the value of property taken or damaged
- Probation Supervised probation with conditions including no-contact orders and restrictions on certain activities
- Record A permanent criminal record affecting employment applications, background checks, and professional licensing
- Licenses Theft convictions can result in revocation of professional licenses in fields including healthcare, finance, and law
- Measure 57 Repeat property offenders may face presumptive prison terms under Oregon’s Measure 57 sentencing law
- Civil Liability A criminal conviction can be used as evidence in a civil lawsuit by the alleged victim seeking additional damages
Casey’s Defense Strategy
How Casey Defends Theft & Property Crime Cases
Property crime cases are won and lost on details — the value of the property, whether a search was lawful, whether the prosecution can actually tie the defendant to the offense, and whether criminal intent can be established. Casey examines every element of the state’s case to find the weakest links.
One powerful avenue is challenging how the evidence was gathered. If law enforcement conducted an unlawful search or seizure — stopping someone without reasonable suspicion, searching without a warrant, or improperly seizing property — a motion to suppress can exclude that evidence from trial entirely.
Beyond suppression, Casey pursues every available path to a favorable outcome — including negotiating charge reductions from felony to misdemeanor, pursuing civil compromise agreements with the alleged victim to avoid prosecution entirely, and seeking diversion or deferred sentencing to keep a conviction off your record. His reputation in Oregon’s courts creates leverage in these negotiations that benefits every client he represents.
If no acceptable resolution is reached, Casey is fully prepared to take the case to trial — challenging the prosecution’s ability to prove identity, intent, and every other element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.
Examine the Evidence
Casey reviews all police reports, surveillance footage, financial records, witness statements, and other evidence to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and inconsistencies in the alleged victim’s account.
Challenge Unlawful Search & Seizure
If law enforcement violated your Fourth Amendment rights — stopping, searching, or seizing without proper legal justification — Casey moves to suppress that evidence. Evidence that can’t be used can’t convict you.
Challenge Criminal Intent
Many property crimes require proof of specific criminal intent. Casey scrutinizes whether the prosecution can actually establish that you intended to steal, defraud, or damage — not just that property was missing or that you were present.
Pursue Charge Reduction or Civil Compromise
Casey negotiates hard for reduced charges — felony to misdemeanor, or misdemeanor to a violation — and explores civil compromise options that can allow the case to be resolved without a criminal conviction at all.
Trial-Ready Advocacy
If the case cannot be resolved favorably, Casey is prepared to take it to trial — cross-examining witnesses, challenging the prosecution’s evidence, and fighting for an acquittal in front of a jury.
Your Defense
Why Oregon Defendants Choose Casey Kovacic for Property Crime Defense
Every Type of Property Crime — Including Felony Burglary and Robbery
Casey has handled the full spectrum of Oregon property crimes, from misdemeanor theft to Measure 11 felony burglary and robbery charges. That range of experience means he understands how these cases are investigated and prosecuted — and how to defend them effectively at every level.
Record Protection as a Core Goal
Casey understands that a theft conviction carries consequences far beyond the formal sentence. He approaches every property crime case with record protection as a priority — pursuing every available option to keep a conviction off your record, from charge reductions to diversion programs to civil compromise agreements.
Skilled Negotiator With Courtroom Credibility
Casey’s reputation in Oregon’s courts creates real leverage in negotiations. Prosecutors know he is willing and able to take cases to trial — which makes negotiated outcomes more favorable. Many times, a felony offense can be knocked down to a lesser charge, or a civil compromise can be reached that avoids prosecution entirely.
Eight Years as an Oregon Public Defender
Before opening his own firm, Casey spent eight years handling criminal cases — including theft and property offenses — in Multnomah and Washington County courts. He knows how Oregon prosecutors approach these cases, what evidence they rely on, and where the opportunities for defense typically lie.
Direct, Personal Representation
When you hire the Law Office of Casey Kovacic, you work directly with Casey — not a paralegal or a junior associate. He reviews your case personally, explains your options honestly, and is present with you at every stage of the process.
Confidential Consultation
Charged With a Theft or Property Crime in Oregon? Call Casey Kovacic Today.
A theft conviction can follow you for the rest of your life. Contact Casey now to start building a defense — and to explore every option for protecting your record and your future.
(503) 693-8725249 NE Lincoln Street, Hillsboro, OR 97124