Theft Crimes Lawyer

Grand Theft * Petty Theft * Shoplifting
Embezzlement * Burglary * Forgery * Identity Theft
Grand Theft Auto * Robbery * Larceny * False Pretenses *
Receipt of Stolen Goods

Avoiding Criminal Charges

If you are charged with a theft crime in the State of California, it is possible to avoid conviction, fines and/or jail time in Los Angeles or Ventura County courts –depending completely on the facts of your case. When you are ready to tell your attorney what happened, they will hear your story with complete attorney - client privilege and give you their expert evaluation.

California Theft Crimes Law

Theft laws, also known as larceny in the State of California, are crimes in which a person intentionally takes and carries away the property of another (person, store, corporation, etc.) without permission - and with the intent to permanently deprive the person of their interest in that property. There are two different degrees of larceny/theft in the State of California - petty theft and grand theft.

Petty Theft - Less than $400 - Misdemeanor
Grand Theft - Greater than $400 - Felony

Petty Theft or Shoplifting: Petty theft is more also known as stealing merchandise valued at less than $400 from a retail store, supermarket, drug store, library or the food kiosk at the mall. First time offenders when they are represented with a criminal defense attorney are usually charged with a misdemeanor with a maximum of 1 year in jail, restitution and approximately $200 in fines. As a general rule of thumb in Los Angeles and Ventura County courts – first time offenders can avoid jail completely. Second and third offenses for petty crimes can be charged as a felony and these offenses have serious penalties charged under Penal Code Section 666, which means up to 1 year in jail.

Grand Theft: Grand Theft is known as stealing goods worth over $400 or stealing more than $400 in cash money. Grand theft may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony - with a felony conviction punishable by a year in county jail or up to 16 months in California state prison.

Each theft is evaluated by the District Attorney on its own merits with harsher penalties being meted out for theft with use of a weapon and for prior related theft crimes. Theft convictions also have a high probability of having serious adverse long term consequences beyond jail time and fines. It may be very difficult to get a good job in the future, as your future employability and professional licensing will be effected. Theft crime convictions carry a stigma of dishonesty and moral turpitude and you may lose your current job if it involves money, as in banking, bookkeeper, investments, stocks, bonds and financial planning.