Theft and Property Crimes Defense: Protecting Your Future from Conviction

Theft charges and property crimes may seem straightforward, but they carry serious consequences that can impact your employment, housing, immigration status, and professional licenses for years to come. California’s theft laws have been significantly reformed in recent years, creating new opportunities for defense and charge reduction. As experienced theft defense attorneys, we understand how to navigate these complex laws and protect clients from the long-term consequences of property crime convictions.

Understanding California Theft Laws

Proposition 47 Reforms

Proposition 47 (2014) fundamentally changed California theft law:

Felony to Misdemeanor Reductions:

• Grand theft under $950 reduced to petty theft
• Drug possession charges reduced
• Bad check violations reclassified
• Receiving stolen property modifications

Retroactive Relief:

• Existing felons can petition for reduction
• Resentencing for those in custody
• Record modification for completed sentences
• Expungement eligibility improvements

Current Theft Thresholds:

• Petty theft: Under $950 (misdemeanor)
• Grand theft: $950 or more (felony)
• Enhanced penalties for prior convictions
• Special circumstances for certain property types

Types of California Theft Crimes

Petty Theft (PC 484/488):

• Property value under $950
• Misdemeanor offense
• Up to 6 months county jail
• Maximum $1,000 fine

Grand Theft (PC 487):

• Property value $950 or more
• Wobbler (felony or misdemeanor)
• 16 months to 3 years prison
• Enhanced penalties for priors

Auto Theft (PC 487(d)(1)):

• Vehicle theft regardless of value
• Always felony charge
• 16 months to 3 years prison
• Separate from joyriding charges

Common Theft and Property Crimes

Shoplifting and Retail Theft

Shoplifting (PC 459.5) after Proposition 47:

Elements of Shoplifting:

• Entering commercial establishment
• Intent to commit theft
• Property value under $950
• During business hours

Defense Strategies:

• Lack of intent to steal
• Mistake or accident
• Payment intention evidence
• Mental health considerations

Penalties:

• First offense: Misdemeanor
• Up to 6 months jail
• Community service
• Theft education programs

Burglary Charges

Residential Burglary (PC 459 – First Degree):

• Entering inhabited dwelling
• Intent to commit theft or felony
• Always felony charge
• Strike offense under Three Strikes

Commercial Burglary (PC 459 – Second Degree):

• Entering commercial building
• Intent to commit theft
• Wobbler offense
• May be reduced post-Proposition 47

Defense Approaches:

• Lack of intent evidence
• Consent to enter
• Mistake of fact
• Alternative explanation for presence

Vehicle-Related Crimes

Auto Theft vs. Joyriding:

Vehicle Theft (PC 487(d)):

• Intent to permanently deprive
• Felony charge
• 16 months to 3 years
• Restitution requirements

Joyriding (PC 10851):

• Temporary taking without consent
• Wobbler offense
• Lesser penalties than theft
• Common plea reduction option

Carjacking (PC 215):

• Taking vehicle by force or fear
• Serious felony
• Strike offense
• 3-9 years state prison

Fraud and Financial Crimes

Credit Card Fraud (PC 484e-j):

• Unlawful use of credit cards
• Forgery of cards or signatures
• Value-based penalty structure
• Proposition 47 impacts

Check Fraud (PC 476):

• Passing bad checks
• Forgery and alteration
• NSF check violations
• Restitution requirements

Identity Theft (PC 530.5):

• Using another’s personal information
• Financial gain intent
• Wobbler offense
• Enhanced penalties for elderly victims

Theft Defense Strategies

Intent-Based Defenses

Lack of intent to steal:

Mistake or Accident:

• Forgot to pay for items
• Confusion about ownership
• Emergency circumstances
• Mental health factors

Good Faith Belief:

• Belief in ownership rights
• Permission to take property
• Loan or borrowing situations
• Family property disputes

Claim of Right:

• Legitimate ownership claim
• Debt collection belief
• Property recovery attempts
• Legal right assertions

Value and Classification Challenges

Property valuation disputes:

Fair Market Value:

• Used vs. new condition
• Depreciation considerations
• Expert appraisal evidence
• Comparable sales analysis

Proposition 47 Reductions:

• Aggregation rule challenges
• Separate transaction arguments
• Value threshold defenses
• Retroactive relief petitions

Constitutional Defenses

Fourth Amendment violations:

Illegal Search and Seizure:

• Unlawful detention
• Consent search challenges
• Plain view doctrine limits
• Vehicle search violations

Miranda Rights:

• Custodial interrogation issues
• Voluntary statement analysis
• Coercion and pressure tactics
• Attorney request denials

Entrapment and Police Misconduct

Law enforcement overreach:

Entrapment Defense:

• Government inducement
• Lack of predisposition
• Undercover operation analysis
• Burden of proof considerations

Police Misconduct:

• Evidence planting allegations
• False report filing
• Excessive force claims
• Constitutional violations

Consequences of Theft Convictions

Employment Impact

Background check consequences:

Employer Screening:

• Dishonesty crime stigma
• Retail and customer service barriers
• Financial industry restrictions
• Bonding and insurance issues

Professional Licensing:

• Moral character determinations
• Licensing board discipline
• Renewal application impacts
• Career advancement barriers

Immigration Consequences

Non-citizen implications:

Deportation Risks:

• Moral turpitude determinations
• Aggravated felony classifications
• Multiple conviction impacts
• Relief from removal limitations

Admissibility Issues:

• Border crossing problems
• Visa application denials
• Naturalization barriers
• Family reunification impacts

Civil Liability

Beyond criminal penalties:

Restitution Requirements:

• Victim compensation orders
• Property damage costs
• Investigation expense recovery
• Collection enforcement

Civil Lawsuits:

• Merchant civil demand letters
• Treble damage provisions
• Attorney fee recovery
• Settlement negotiations

Specialized Theft Crimes

Embezzlement (PC 503)

Employee theft violations:

Position of Trust:

• Employee-employer relationship
• Fiduciary duty breach
• Authorized access to property
• Conversion for personal use

White Collar Implications:

• Professional license impacts
• Career destruction potential
• Civil lawsuit exposure
• Restitution obligations

Defense Strategies:

• Good faith belief in authorization
• Loan vs. theft intent
• Accounting error explanations
• Mental incapacity defenses

Receiving Stolen Property (PC 496)

Knowingly receiving stolen goods:

Knowledge Requirement:

• Actual knowledge of theft
• Reasonable suspicion standard
• Willful blindness doctrine
• Circumstantial evidence analysis

Defense Approaches:

• Lack of knowledge evidence
• Good faith purchase defense
• Alternative source theories
• Value and ownership disputes

Elder Abuse Theft (PC 368)

Financial abuse of elderly:

Enhanced Penalties:

• Victim age 65 or older
• Position of trust abuse
• Enhanced sentence terms
• Restitution requirements

Special Considerations:

• Capacity and vulnerability
• Family relationship dynamics
• Power of attorney issues
• Caregiver relationships

Juvenile Theft Cases

Juvenile Court Proceedings

Minor theft prosecutions:

Rehabilitation Focus:

• Educational intervention
• Community service
• Restitution programs
• Family involvement

Diversion Programs:

• Pre-filing diversion
• Community accountability boards
• Restorative justice programs
• Educational workshops

School-Related Theft

Campus theft issues:

School Discipline Coordination:

• Suspension and expulsion risks
• Educational opportunity protection
• Zero tolerance policy challenges
• Alternative education placement

Theft Crime Penalties

Misdemeanor Penalties

Petty theft consequences:

Standard Penalties:

• Up to 6 months county jail
• Maximum $1,000 fine
• Summary probation
• Community service

Enhanced Penalties:

• Prior theft convictions
• Multiple victim impacts
• Aggregate value considerations
• Professional relationship abuse

Felony Penalties

Grand theft consequences:

Prison Sentences:

• 16 months, 2, or 3 years
• Strike law implications
• Prior felony enhancements
• Restitution requirements

Long-term Consequences:

• Permanent criminal record
• Employment barriers
• Professional license impacts
• Immigration consequences

Alternative Sentencing Options

Diversion Programs

Pre-conviction alternatives:

Theft Education Programs:

• Shoplifting prevention classes
• Community service requirements
• Victim impact presentations
• Case dismissal potential

Mental Health Court:

• Psychological evaluation
• Treatment program participation
• Supervised compliance
• Charge reduction opportunities

Probation and Community Service

Conviction alternatives:

Summary Probation:

• Court supervision
• Condition compliance
• Community service hours
• Victim restitution

Work Release Programs:

• Employment maintenance
• Weekend custody service
• Electronic monitoring
• Family support preservation

Proposition 47 Relief

Resentencing Petitions

Retroactive charge reduction:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Felony conviction before 2014
• Offense now classified as misdemeanor
• No disqualifying factors
• Court petition filing

Benefits of Reduction:

• Immediate release possibility
• Expungement eligibility
• Employment opportunity improvement
• Immigration consequence mitigation

Record Modification

Post-conviction relief:

Expungement Eligibility:

• PC 1203.4 petition filing
• Probation completion requirement
• Court discretionary approval
• Background check improvement

Restitution and Civil Penalties

Victim Compensation

Criminal restitution orders:

Restitution Calculation:

• Property replacement value
• Repair and restoration costs
• Lost wages and expenses
• Emotional distress damages

Payment Enforcement:

• Wage garnishment orders
• Asset seizure authority
• Payment plan arrangements
• Collection agency involvement

Civil Demand Letters

Merchant civil penalties:

California Civil Code 1714.1:

• $50-$500 penalty range
• Adult and minor liability
• Settlement negotiation
• Attorney representation benefits

Why Choose Our Theft Defense Team

Proposition 47 Expertise

Post-reform law knowledge:

Charge Reduction Strategies:

• Felony to misdemeanor reductions
• Retroactive relief petitions
• Value threshold challenges
• Classification defenses

Current Law Application:

• Recent appellate decisions
• Evolving legal standards
• Prosecutor office policies
• Court procedure updates

Comprehensive Defense Approach

Complete case representation:

Investigation Services:

• Witness interview coordination
• Surveillance footage analysis
• Expert witness consultation
• Alternative theory development

Negotiation Excellence:

• Prosecutor relationship leverage
• Plea bargain optimization
• Alternative sentencing advocacy
• Civil penalty mitigation

Employment and Immigration Protection

Consequence mitigation:

Professional Impact Minimization:

• License protection strategies
• Employment preservation
• Background check preparation
• Character