Los Angeles Petty Theft Attorneys | LA Theft Defense Lawyers Since 1987
On its own, petty theft doesn’t mean a felony conviction or automatically carry a sentence in prison. But it’s still a serious crime, and if you aren’t prepared to defend yourself in court, you can find yourself with an unwanted petty theft conviction on your permanent record.
As soon as you face charges of petty theft, you need to get the right defense attorneys on your side. You also need to know exactly what you’re facing so you can provide defense attorneys with the information they need to help win your case.
What Is Petty Theft, and How Does It Compare to Other Forms of Theft?
By California’s definition, petty theft involves the theft of items valued at $950 or less. It doesn’t carry automatic jail time, but spending several months in county jail is possible in certain circumstances. Most shoplifting cases fall under the definition of petty theft, as opposed to grand theft or burglary.
The main differences between a petty theft charge and other robberies are the value of the stolen goods and whether the alleged perpetrator was legally in the facility at the time of the crime. For example, if you’re accused of shoplifting, that falls under petty theft and not burglary because you weren’t committing a crime by being in the store. Your actions don’t become criminal until you decide to steal the property in question. Burglary involves the unlawful entry into a building, either by force or because of the owner’s neglect. If you didn’t have the legal right to be on that property, the crime would be classified as burglary, regardless of the items’ value.
If the stolen items’ value exceeds $950, the charge becomes grand theft, which is a felony in California.
What Penalties Exist for Petty Theft?
If you’re convicted of petty theft, you’ll face up to 6 months in county jail and fines of up to $1,000. First-time offenders can usually avoid jail time, especially if they have the right criminal defense attorney on their side.
If you have a prior petty theft conviction, your fate is up to the district attorney, who can charge you with a misdemeanor or a felony. If the district attorney charges you with a misdemeanor, you may face up to a year in county jail. If you’re charged with a felony, you may face a maximum sentence of 3 years in state prison.
How Can I Get Legal Assistance?
If you’re facing petty theft charges, whether it’s a first offense or not, you need to get the right criminal defense attorney working for you. With decades of experience on the other side of the aisle, our attorneys understand California criminal law and how county and state-level prosecutors think. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and discuss your options.
Petty theft is a crime that involves taking another’s property (valued at $950 or less) without the owner’s permission nor consent and with intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. It is most often associated with PC 459.5 shoplifting, which is described as committing theft with prior intent in a retail store during normal business hours. The great majority of petty theft cases in Los Angeles are charged as misdemeanor theft crimes and rarely involve jail time for first offenders, but in certain circumstances, it can be elevated to a felony theft offense. If you have multiple prior theft-related convictions combined with prior serious felony convictions, you could be charged with California Penal Code §666 – “Petty Theft with a Prior.” As a “wobbler” offense, petty theft with prior can be prosecuted as a felony or misdemeanor with the felony iteration carrying up to 3 years in state prison.
Our Petty Theft Defense Experience In Los Angeles
Due to the fact that any criminal conviction becomes a part of your criminal record and can affect future career opportunities, professional licenses, as well as citizenship, you should not take petty theft charges lightly even though it very rarely results in jail time as a first offense. While a conviction can result in punishment – jail time, fines, probation and restitution, the more damaging consequences are the effects a petty theft conviction can have on future background checks.
We know how challenging it can be to be arrested for petty theft as this may be your first criminal offense, as well as the first time you’ve ever needed a criminal defense lawyer. With a combined 70 plus years of successful Los Angeles petty theft defense experience, our defense attorneys have skill, reputation, and resources to improve your chances of avoiding harsh punishments, as well as a petty theft conviction on your record. Depending on the circumstances of your case such as your prior criminal history, the amount of the theft, and the level of sophistication employed in the theft, the following positive results can be achieved through our dynamic defense strategies:
- Dismissal of your petty theft charges through diversion programs.
- Reduction of your petty theft charges in exchange for a plea to a non-theft offense such as disturbing the peace or trespassing.
- Reduction of your misdemeanor petty theft charges to a petty theft infraction.
Our Petty Theft Attorneys’ Background & Accolades
Los Angeles petty theft attorneys, Paul Takakjian and Stephen Sitkoff are former Los Angeles County senior prosecutors who have each practiced criminal law for over 35 years. Mr. Takakjian holds a Distinguished rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is Board Certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Mr. Sitkoff is recognized by Super Lawyers and maintains a Preeminent rating awarded by Martindale-Hubbell.
Avoid A California Petty Theft Conviction On Your Record
If you have been recently cited or arrested for petty theft in Los Angeles County or anywhere in Southern California, call our Los Angeles office today for a FREE case evaluation. Since 1987, we have specialized in helping clients avoid the consequences petty theft convictions, as well the enhanced penalties for petty theft warrants and probation violations. Call us today at no-obligation for a FREE consultation at (888) 579-4844.