Former Sr. Prosecutors Now Long Beach Petty Theft Shoplifting Defense Attorneys
If you have been recently cited or arrested for petty theft shoplifting San Pedro, Signal Hill or anywhere else in the Long Beach area, you likely have an upcoming court appearance at the Long Beach Courthouse. Whether you are facing first theft-related offense or you have an extensive criminal record, it is important that you, at the minimum, consult with a criminal defense attorney with experience defending theft crimes in Long Beach Courthouse. The impact of a theft-related conviction carries penalties that extend beyond the potential jail time and fines, such as its collateral impact on your future employment prospects, current or future professional licensing, or citizenship eligibility. These consequences can be mitigated by an experienced Long Beach criminal defense lawyer. Since 1987, former Long Beach prosecutors and now criminal defense lawyers Paul Takakjian and Stephen Sitkoff have successfully defended individuals like yourself in a wide range of theft-related cases, including petty and grand theft, shoplifting, embezzlement , 2nd degree burglary, identity theft, and forgery. Call now at (888) 579-4844 for a free consultation to review your case and your options.
Our Petty Theft Defense Approach
As former Long Beach prosecutors and law enforcement instructors with over 60 years of combined experience, the petty theft lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP provide a unique insight and advantage to every petty theft case we defend. Whether it is attacking a specific element of PC 484 – Petty Theft or PC 459.5 – Shoplifting, or utilizing our relationships with prosecutors and judges in Long Beach Court to negotiate plea agreements to lesser offenses, our we are committed to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. In order to accomplish this, we thoroughly investigate all of the evidence against you to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as the following:
- The property allegedly stolen was actually yours
- You did not intend to permanently deprive the owner of the property
- There is no evidence that you took nor ever possessed the allegedly stolen property, other than the accuser’s word
Alternatively, if your case involves strong evidence, such as your confession to the crime, video or audio evidence, and reliable witness testimony, a dismissal or reduction of charges can still be attained if you have no criminal record either by way of Civil Compromise under 1377 and 1378 of the California Penal Code or Deferred Entry of Judgment (DEJ).
Long Beach Courthouse
All felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses in the Long Beach area are prosecuted out of the Long Beach Court, which is also known as the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse. Located at 275 Magnolia Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, this court serves as the jurisdictional court for all criminal matters arising out of the Long Beach area. There are 3 independent prosecutorial agencies within this courthouse and the agency which assumes the prosecution of your case is determined by the city you were arrested in and/or the charge level (felony or misdemeanor). The 3 agencies are:
- Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – (562) 247-2000
- Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office – (310) 732-4600
- Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office – (562) 570-5600
Why Retain Our Long Beach Theft And Shoplifting Defense Firm?
Whether you are facing a first offense misdemeanor shoplifting or worse, PC 666 – petty theft with prior, you can rest assured that as a client of our firm, you will receive first class legal representation and a genuine commitment to the successful resolution of your case. Unlike many other Long Beach criminal defense firms, clients of our firm will be represented by a former Long Beach deputy district attorney – either Paul Takakjian or Stephen Sitkoff, not an inexperienced associate or contract lawyer. Please call us now at (562) 606- 5117 for a free no-obligation consultation to review the facts of your case and each of your potential outcomes.
