Los Angeles Theft Lawyer

inne-rpage-seperator

In the state of California, a “theft” charge could actually cover a variety of different crimes. The one thing they will have in common is an accusation that you’ve taken or misappropriated property that did not belong to you.

Our defense team has helped Los Angeles residents with all types of theft cases, including:

Being convicted of theft can ruin your life. It’s considered a “crime of moral turpitude,” which means not only can it prevent you from getting jobs, but it can prevent you from getting certain professional licenses as well.

In fact, certain employers would rather take a chance on someone who has committed a violent crime in the past than someone who has committed a theft. Employers, especially those whose employees handle money or goods directly, live in fear of “shrink,” or losses due to thefts both by employees and customers.

But thinking about future employment prospects isn’t even your first concern. You could be facing jail time. You need a vigorous defense to protect your freedom.

See also: Los Angeles Grand Theft Lawyer.

A photo of the hollywood sign in Los Angeles

What’s the difference between petty theft and grand theft?

The difference is in the amount stolen. You’ve committed grand theft if the value of the property stolen is greater than $950. This could be a single item or multiple items which, when considered together, have a value greater than $950.

Stealing certain, specific items count as grand theft even if the value is less than $950. For example, Grand Theft Auto is Grand Theft Auto regardless of the value of the car, which is why it’s singled out and given a term of its own. Stealing any firearm is grand theft regardless of the value.

Some very strange property types can also be Grand Theft even if the value of the property is less than $950. For example, ocean and agricultural products stolen from a research facility can be Grand Theft if the amount exceeds $250.

Grand theft is a felony. It can also be further enhanced if property values exceed $65,000.

Petty theft is theft with a total of up to $950. Many shoplifting cases are actually petty theft cases. Petty theft of up to $400 is a misdemeanor. Petty theft between $400 and $950 may be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or as a felony.

If you’ve stolen less than $50 the prosecutor has the option to call the crime a “criminal infraction” instead, and fine you $250 instead of sending you to jail.

What’s the difference between burglary and robbery?

Burglary is entering any structure, including a car, with the intent to commit a theft. The intent is all that’s required; you don’t have to be successful to get convicted of robbery. Burglaries can be charged either as a misdemeanor or as a felony.

Robbery is committing a theft or attempting to commit theft with the help of force, intimidation, or a deadly weapon. Robberies don’t require you to enter any structure. A robbery could cover a mugging, a carjacking, or any theft where you’ve used force to coerce someone into giving up their property. Robberies are charged as felonies.

What is embezzlement?

Embezzlement is covered under California Penal Code 503. A theft is classified as embezzlement any time you use fraud to misappropriate or take property which has been entrusted to you.

Not all embezzlements are high-profile white collar crimes. People have found themselves on the wrong side of an embezzlement charge after misusing their expense accounts, for example, by using them to purchase items that aren’t work-related, or by “padding,” claiming an expense is higher than it actually is.

A photo of a crying old lady in Los Angeles

Can I be convicted of theft for bouncing a single check in Los Angeles?

It can happen. It is technically checked fraud to write a check knowing you can’t cover it, even if you are counting on a check clearing delay. Does it happen super often? Not necessarily.

Usually, the merchant will contact you before they contact law enforcement. They want to keep a good relationship with you, and they want their money. They also want people to keep spending money at their store with checks. Usually, they’ll give you a chance to pay the overdue amount. Usually, they’ll assess a fee in addition to whatever the bank charges. If you fail to pay them after they contact you they may refer you to a collection agency, or they may send the case on to law enforcement.

But you’re counting on the merchant’s goodwill every time you do it.

It’s more common for check fraud and forgery charges to be brought against individuals who create and use fake checks, alter the routing number on checks to keep the funds from clearing, using stolen checks or checks in a false name, or forging someone else’s signature on a check. These are all forms of fraud and forgery.

If you are charged with check fraud and the fraud check was valued at less than $950 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Committing check fraud in an amount greater than $950 is a felony.

If you’re being charged with theft, you need help.

Any theft charge can change your life. But in some cases, we’ve been able to get the charges dismissed, reduced, or dropped. When that isn’t possible we’ve been able to acquit many of our clients. We’ve been successful in reducing charges or sentences in cases where the prosecution’s evidence is strong.

Don’t leave your future up to change. Contact Greco-Neyland today to start your free consultation. We will vigorously investigate your case and develop the best defense to defend you and your rights.

Los Angeles Theft Lawyer

inne-rpage-seperator

In the state of California, a “theft” charge could actually cover a variety of different crimes. The one thing they will have in common is an accusation that you’ve taken or misappropriated property that did not belong to you.

Our defense team has helped Los Angeles residents with all types of theft cases, including:

Being convicted of theft can ruin your life. It’s considered a “crime of moral turpitude,” which means not only can it prevent you from getting jobs, but it can prevent you from getting certain professional licenses as well.

In fact, certain employers would rather take a chance on someone who has committed a violent crime in the past than someone who has committed a theft. Employers, especially those whose employees handle money or goods directly, live in fear of “shrink,” or losses due to thefts both by employees and customers.

But thinking about future employment prospects isn’t even your first concern. You could be facing jail time. You need a vigorous defense to protect your freedom.

See also: Los Angeles Grand Theft Lawyer.

A photo of the hollywood sign in Los Angeles

What’s the difference between petty theft and grand theft?

The difference is in the amount stolen. You’ve committed grand theft if the value of the property stolen is greater than $950. This could be a single item or multiple items which, when considered together, have a value greater than $950.

Stealing certain, specific items count as grand theft even if the value is less than $950. For example, Grand Theft Auto is Grand Theft Auto regardless of the value of the car, which is why it’s singled out and given a term of its own. Stealing any firearm is grand theft regardless of the value.

Some very strange property types can also be Grand Theft even if the value of the property is less than $950. For example, ocean and agricultural products stolen from a research facility can be Grand Theft if the amount exceeds $250.

Grand theft is a felony. It can also be further enhanced if property values exceed $65,000.

Petty theft is theft with a total of up to $950. Many shoplifting cases are actually petty theft cases. Petty theft of up to $400 is a misdemeanor. Petty theft between $400 and $950 may be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or as a felony.

If you’ve stolen less than $50 the prosecutor has the option to call the crime a “criminal infraction” instead, and fine you $250 instead of sending you to jail.

What’s the difference between burglary and robbery?

Burglary is entering any structure, including a car, with the intent to commit a theft. The intent is all that’s required; you don’t have to be successful to get convicted of robbery. Burglaries can be charged either as a misdemeanor or as a felony.

Robbery is committing a theft or attempting to commit theft with the help of force, intimidation, or a deadly weapon. Robberies don’t require you to enter any structure. A robbery could cover a mugging, a carjacking, or any theft where you’ve used force to coerce someone into giving up their property. Robberies are charged as felonies.

What is embezzlement?

Embezzlement is covered under California Penal Code 503. A theft is classified as embezzlement any time you use fraud to misappropriate or take property which has been entrusted to you.

Not all embezzlements are high-profile white collar crimes. People have found themselves on the wrong side of an embezzlement charge after misusing their expense accounts, for example, by using them to purchase items that aren’t work-related, or by “padding,” claiming an expense is higher than it actually is.

A photo of a crying old lady in Los Angeles

Can I be convicted of theft for bouncing a single check in Los Angeles?

It can happen. It is technically checked fraud to write a check knowing you can’t cover it, even if you are counting on a check clearing delay. Does it happen super often? Not necessarily.

Usually, the merchant will contact you before they contact law enforcement. They want to keep a good relationship with you, and they want their money. They also want people to keep spending money at their store with checks. Usually, they’ll give you a chance to pay the overdue amount. Usually, they’ll assess a fee in addition to whatever the bank charges. If you fail to pay them after they contact you they may refer you to a collection agency, or they may send the case on to law enforcement.

But you’re counting on the merchant’s goodwill every time you do it.

It’s more common for check fraud and forgery charges to be brought against individuals who create and use fake checks, alter the routing number on checks to keep the funds from clearing, using stolen checks or checks in a false name, or forging someone else’s signature on a check. These are all forms of fraud and forgery.

If you are charged with check fraud and the fraud check was valued at less than $950 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Committing check fraud in an amount greater than $950 is a felony.

If you’re being charged with theft, you need help.

Any theft charge can change your life. But in some cases, we’ve been able to get the charges dismissed, reduced, or dropped. When that isn’t possible we’ve been able to acquit many of our clients. We’ve been successful in reducing charges or sentences in cases where the prosecution’s evidence is strong.

Don’t leave your future up to change. Contact Greco-Neyland today to start your free consultation. We will vigorously investigate your case and develop the best defense to defend you and your rights.

free case evaluation






    Results That Matter to You

    google-min
    bbb-logo-min
    trader-logo-min