Theft crimes in California can range from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on the method which the property was taken and its value. If the value of the property taken is less than $950 this is often referred to as “petty theft” and is a misdemeanor. If the value of the property is worth more than $950 it is often referred to as “grand theft” which can be a felony.
Often times what should ordinally be charged as a “petty theft” or a “grand theft” is charged as a “robbery” based on a witnesses account of how the property was taken. For instance, if a witness says that the property was taken through “force or fear” you can be charged with robbery. A “robbery” is a strike offense punishable in state prison. It is crucial that you have a criminal defense attorney like Ibraham Dbouk by your side to make sure that you are not being taken advantage of by the often overzealous legal system. Small distinctions in fact could make a significant difference in your case. There are also many diversion programs available for certain qualifying theft offenses.
Other common theft charges in California are Embezzlement which is typically charged when employees are stealing money from their business, or accountants are taking money for their own financial gain. A person can be charged with Burglary if they enter any type of building with the intent to steal property. If the place entered is a person’s home, it could be charged as a Strike offense under California’s three strikes law. As a criminal defense attorney, Ibraham Dbouk has successfully defended hundreds of clients against various theft offenses.
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