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Petty Theft Defense Attorneys in Los Angeles 
Petty Theft
Petty theft may not sound like a serious crime. But the consequences of a petty theft conviction can still do a lot of damage to one's future. For example, employers may think twice about hiring someone with a theft conviction on his or her record – even if it's for stealing a small amount of money or a relatively inexpensive item. If you have been accused of petty theft, it would be in your best interest to seek the counsel of an experienced Los Angeles theft crime defense lawyer to get more information about your legal rights and options.
California Penal Code 484 – Petty Theft
California Penal Code 484 can be summarized as a misdemeanor crime involving the unlawful taking of another's property. There are many forms of petty theft but they all share a commonality -- a threshold of value. In most theft cases this threshold is $950. When the property unlawfully taken is valued under $950, the theft is considered "petty." Crimes involving property valued over that threshold are considered grand theft. Some examples of petty theft are:
- False Pretenses – This refers to someone making false representations in order to wrongfully steal an item or a service.
- Embezzlement – This is when property is taken that has been entrusted to you. It typically deals with employees stealing from employers.
- Larceny – This is the theft of someone's property without consent. One common form of larceny is shoplifting.
- Trickery – This is theft through deception.
Petty Theft versus Grand Theft
It is important to establish the difference between petty theft and grand theft because they both carry significantly different punishments. Petty theft can only be charged as a misdemeanor whereas grand theft may be considered a felony. Theft of certain items such as automobiles and guns always result in grand theft charges regardless of the value of the property.
Penalties for Petty Theft
Depending upon the criminal history and the value of the property stolen, the maximum punishment for a petty theft includes:
- Three years of informal probation
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Up to six months in county jail
First-time offenders may not face charges as severe as repeat offenders. For example, if the property allegedly stolen was less than $50, the charges may be reduced to an infraction. An infraction charge may result in a maximum fine of $250. If the first-time offender stole more than $50, the charges may require the defendant to repay the value of the property stolen, attend anti-theft seminars and perform community service. Alternative sentencing (alternative to jail time) is also a possibility for those charged with petty theft.
The criminal defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP understand that all criminal charges are serious and must be vigorously defended. If you have been charged with petty theft, please contact the Los Angeles theft crime defense lawyers at Takakjian & Sitkoff, LLP for a free consultation today.
If you have been arrested for a petty theft offense then please call us immediately for a FREE CONSULTATION at (888) 579-4844
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