Museum Employee Arraigned for Theft of More than $60,000

Kathy L. Alexander was arraigned this month for reportedly stealing more than $60,000 from the Tennessee State Museum in 2014. According to The Tennessean, Ms. Alexander has a history of theft, and was actually on parole while she was working for the museum through a staffing company. Because she has been declared indigent, Ms. Alexander cannot post bail, and is therefore being held in custody. Her attorney has entered a plea of “not guilty.”

Ms. Alexander’s previous record will likely be held against her, even if she is not guilty of these new charges. In Tennessee, and in courtrooms around the country, any prior convictions you might have can affect how a judge sentences you, and can influence a judge and/or jury to lean towards a presumption of guilt, despite a person’s right to be presumed innocent. This is why it is so important that you hire a skilled Franklin criminal defense lawyer if you are charged with theft; once you have already been convicted of one crime, it becomes even more difficult to be declared “not guilty” of another.

Understanding theft charges

Ms. Alexander stands accused of “forgery, identity theft and using a computer to commit fraud,” all of which are considered “white collar crimes.” White collar crimes are prosecuted in the federal court system, as opposed to other theft charges which can be tried in Tennessee courts. The most common theft charges tried in state courts include:

• Shoplifting is a misdemeanor crime in Tennessee, but that does not mean it is not serious. It is possible to be convicted of shoplifting and not go to jail (though you will be heavily fined), but there are extenuating circumstances.
• Burglary is the unlawful entering of a building or dwelling. Technically, you do not actually have to “steal” anything to be charged with and convicted of burglary; the intent to steal is enough. This is different from breaking and entering, which assumes that you did not have any intent to steal.
• Robbery is a felony, and it is the most serious theft charge there is. Robbery is “the taking of money or goods in the possession of another, from his or her person or immediate presence, by force or intimidation.” Armed robbery, in which a person stands accused of using a weapon to intimidate or to inflict physical violence, can land you in prison if convicted, and under Tennessee law, you must serve at least 70% of that sentence.

If you are facing theft charges in state or federal court, you want an experienced advocate on your side. At the Law Offices of Adrian H. Altshuler & Associates, we protect our clients’ rights and their futures. To learn more about our services, please contact one of our offices in Franklin, Columbia or Brentwood. We may be able to schedule an in-custody visit if necessary.