san diego grand theft

Colton Harris-Moore, the alleged “barefoot bandit” will appear in court on Thursday, July 22, 2010. The barefoot bandit was nicknamed for allegedly breaking into houses while barefoot. The barefoot bandit became a cult hero on Facebook after it was reported he allegedly a string of crimes including stealing airplanes without any pilot training.

At the initial appearance, Harris-Moore will be arraigned. This means that he will be advised of the charges against him, the possible penalties, and his constitutional rights. If Harris-Moore enters a plea, the judge will set a date for a preliminary hearing.

A preliminary hearing is a right afforded to those charged with a felony. In a preliminary hearing, the prosecutor will subpoena witnesses to testify in court. The prosecutor has the burden to establish that there is reasonable cause to believe a crime was committed and that the defendant committed that crime. The prosecution has the burden of proof to establish there is reasonable cause or reasonable suspicion to believe that the crime charged was committed by the defendant. If probable cause is found, the court can set a date for jury trial.

If you or a loved one is facing a criminal charge, it is likely that you will go through the same process. It is critical that you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our Southern California criminal defense attorneys have over 30 years of experience in defending the criminally accused. We will guide you through the criminal process and make sure your rights are defended. Call us today at (888) 280-6839 or contact us through our website at www.wklaw-sandiego.com. We will be there when you call.

Paulette Dastrup Thompson, the former principal at Reynolds Elementary School in Oceanside, was recently sentenced after she entered a guilty plea to grand theft in Southern California and misappropriation of public funds. San Diego 6 News recently reported that Thompson will serve 90 days in jail and five years probation.

Thompson had been an educator for over 30 years when she was arrested for stealing over $100,000 from two PTA’s and the Oceanside school district. Through the use of checks and money wiring, Thompson used the stolen money for herself and family members. There will be another hearing to determine the exact amount of Thompson’s liability and how she will pay restitution. As part of Thompson’s sentence, the judge also imposed 400 hours of community service at a nonprofit organization.

Grand theft is punishable as a felony that involves stolen goods valued at over $400. This is a serious crime that can lead to potentially serious penalties. A conviction can result in fines and varying amounts of jail or prison time depending upon the circumstances of the case.

If you or a loved one has been charged with grand theft, it is important that you talk to an experienced criminal defense San Diego theft attorney. At Wallin & Klarich, our attorneys have over 30 years of experience in handling all types of criminal matters. We will represent you and fully inform you of everything that is going on in your case. Call us today at (877) 230-1529 or visit us on our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.

It was recently reported that a North County woman was convicted of grand theft after she took money from a couple who believed her to be an immigration attorney who would help them become United States citizens. Gladys Escobar, who now resides in Los Angeles, was sentenced to three years probation (with a five year, fourth month prison sentence suspended), 120 hours of community service, and was ordered to pay the victims $8,730 in restitution.

Grand theft is a felony charge that results when the value of the property illegally taken is over $400. Theft charges can stem from incidents such as the one above in which Escobar defrauded people but they can also occur when a person illegally takes property from another with the intent of keeping the property indefinitely.

If you or a loved one is facing charges for grand theft or any other theft crime, contact our San Diego theft crime attorneys at Wallin and Klarich. Wallin & Klarich will help protect your rights and find the best defense strategy for your case. For over 30 years, our attorneys have been helping clients get probation or community service hours in lieu of jail time. Please call us at (877) 230-1529 or visit our website at www.wklaw.com. We will be there when you call.