San Diego Theft Crime Lawyers

California law defines theft as the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent of keeping it permanently. It also includes fraudulently taking property that has been entrusted to you, defrauding someone using false representations or pretense, taking property by false premises, larceny, embezzlement and larceny by trick and device (California Penal Code Section 484).

If you have been accused of a theft crime in San Diego County, you need skilled legal representation to defend the charges to avoid serious consequences including jail time, hefty fines and other penalties. An San Diego County theft crime accusation also tarnishes your reputation and could have a negative impact on your job prospects, career and your future.

California law divides theft crimes into two categories:

• Petty theft (California Penal Code Section 488): Petty theft is that which involves objects that are valued at $400 or less. Property can also include credit, identity theft, failing to return something that is rented or leased or keeping property that is not yours.
• Grand theft (California Penal Code Section 487): Grand theft is theft that involves property that is valued at more than $400. Important exceptions are theft of a firearm and theft of something that was carried on the person of another. Both of these offenses qualify as felony grand theft irrespective of the value of the stolen property.

The charges you face could depend not only on the value of the property stolen, but also your prior criminal record. In some cases a theft charge could even turn into a "third strike," something that could send an individual to prison for life. A misdemeanor petty theft conviction carries up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000 or both. Grand theft is punishable by up to one year in jail or 16 months in state prison or two to three years in prison. Grand theft of amounts more than $50,000 carries an additional punishment of one or two additional years in prison.

The skilled San Diego County theft defense attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have helped first-time offenders with no prior theft charges reduce their charges or punishment. If you have been charged with felony grand theft, we help reduce that to a misdemeanor and by requesting the court to consider probation instead of jail time. In many San Diego County theft cases, we have also been able to successfully request alternative sentencing such as work furlough programs or community service. If you have been accused of a San Diego County theft crime, please call Wallin & Klarich as soon as possible to discuss how our experienced criminal defense attorneys can help build a winning strategy to fight your charges.