Words cannot express how grateful I am to you...
- Wendy C. 
Identity Theft Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles 
Identity Theft
Identity theft in California affects 1 million people a year, according to the state's Office of Privacy Protection. In fact, California is one of the top three states in the nation with the maximum number of identity theft cases in the nation. What is identity theft? It is a crime in which someone deliberately and wrongfully obtains and uses someone's personal information to commit fraud and/or other illegal activities. Falsely posing as someone else is of course a crime, which carries serious penalties. If you have been charged with identity theft, please contact experienced Los Angeles identity theft lawyers to get more information about your legal rights and options.
Some of the most common types of identity theft that occur on a daily basis in California are:
- Internet Identity Theft
- Credit Card Identity Theft
- Bank Identity Theft
- Social Security Identity Theft
- Credit Union Identity Theft
- Medical Insurance Identity Theft
Identity Theft Law -- California Penal Code 530.5
According to California Penal Code 530.5 (a), "Every person who willfully obtains personal identifying information, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 530.55, of another person, and uses that information for any unlawful purpose, including to obtain, or attempt to obtain, credit, goods, services, real property, or medical information without the consent of that person, is guilty of a public offense, and upon conviction therefore, shall be punished by a fine, by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or by both a fine and imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison."
Penalties for Identity Theft
It is a felony to use someone's identity without authorization for purchasing goods or services or to obtain others' personal information. Those wrongfully charged with identity theft face stiff penalties that could change their lives. Depending on the situation and circumstances of the case, an identity theft conviction may lead to:
- Up to one year in a county jail or a $1,000 fine or both
- Time in state prison or a $10,000 fine or both
There are a wide range of potential penalties that someone charged with identity theft will face. That is why it is crucial to hire the right attorney that will know how to have your charges dropped or lessened.
The prosecution has the burden of proof in identity theft cases as in all criminal cases. In order to obtain a conviction for identity theft, the district attorney must prove that the defendant deliberately obtained the private information of another person, that the information was obtained without the individual's consent or authorization and that the information that was obtained in this fraudulent manner was used for an unlawful purpose such as obtaining goods, services, credit or medical records.
If you or a loved one has been charged with identity theft in Los Angeles, please contact the experienced LA theft defense attorneys at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP. We have extensive experience and a successful track record with identity theft cases. If you have been accused with identity theft or internet fraud, we understand that you are facing serious, potentially life-changing consequences. Please call us today for a free, comprehensive and confidential consultation.
If you have been arrested for an identity theft offense then please call us immediately for a FREE CONSULTATION at (888) 579-4844.
Please Click HERE for the Location of a Criminal Defense Lawyer Near You
