Several different crimes qualify as California theft crimes. While some of these offenses are misdemeanors, others are felonies.
In general, a person commits theft if they take someone else's personal property without the property owner's consent and with the intent to deprive the owner of their possession(s).
One common type of theft in California is petty theft, which is a misdemeanor offense. Individuals can incur petty theft charges if they steal property with a maximum value of $950. However, if they have a prior conviction for petty theft on their record, prosecutors can charge them with a felony. If a person ultimately sustains a petty theft conviction, they may receive a maximum sentence of six months incarceration, monetary fines, or both.
Another theft crime in California is burglary. An individual commits burglary if they enter a building with the specific intention of stealing someone else's property (or committing another crime). Robbery occurs when an individual uses threats of violence, actual violence, or physical force to obtain property from someone else. If an individual incurs a felony robbery conviction in California, they can receive a maximum penalty of nine years in jail.
Embezzlement occurs when an individual or entity entrusts particular property to an individual, and that individual misuses the property or steals goods or money. If an individual steals personal property worth more than $950, they may incur criminal charges for grand theft. A state prosecutor may charge grand theft as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending upon the circumstances.
A person may incur criminal charges for grand theft auto if they steal an automobile, regardless of the vehicle’s monetary value. Finally, an individual may incur criminal charges for receiving stolen property if they accept or purchase property that they know someone stole as their own property.
If you recently incurred criminal charges on one of these theft offenses, you should immediately seek experienced legal help.
At Chudnovsky Law, our knowledgeable Orange County defense attorneys can explore your legal options and help you defend against your pending criminal theft charge.