CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Petty Theft With a Prior

Why You Should Hire an Attorney for a Charge of Petty Theft

Are you, a family member, or a friend facing a charge of petty theft? If so, you may be uncertain whether you need to seek the representation of an attorney. However, the answer is a resounding yes, especially if you have previous convictions for similar offenses. A petty theft charge can cause extensive harm, far beyond the inconvenience of paying for an attorney. Therefore, it’s advisable to seek the assistance of an experienced lawyer before heading to court. Our Los Angeles petty theft lawyer can offer you invaluable assistance in many ways.

What is Petty Theft?

Petty theft is the crime of taking property, goods, or cash that belongs to another person without their permission or consent. What differentiates petty theft from grand theft is the value of the item taken. Petty theft occurs when someone takes property or goods that have a value of $950 or lower, while grand theft occurs when the item’s value exceeds $950.

Penalties for Petty Theft

Penalties for petty theft usually depend on the amount of money involved in the crime. If the theft involves less than $50 worth of stolen property, the offender may be excused with a simple infraction and a fine of up to $250. For any other type of petty theft, the culprit can receive up to $1,000 in fines and a sentence of up to six months in jail. However, a theft of less than $950 may not always be categorized as a misdemeanor. Depending on the accuser, the offender may face a felony charge. If you are facing a petty theft charge, you should not assume your charges automatically qualify as a misdemeanor. Hiring an attorney will allow you to explore your dismissal or acquittal options.

Petty Theft with Prior Convictions

Prior convictions can pose a significant challenge when facing a petty theft charge. They may lead to much more severe consequences because the authorities feel you should have learned your lesson with the previous convictions. A subsequent conviction for petty theft can result in up to a year of jail time.

Why You Need an Attorney

There are many reasons why you need a lawyer when facing a petty theft charge. Firstly, an attorney can approach your case objectively and offer you professional support. They will listen to your story and provide you with an impartial assessment of your chances for dismissal or acquittal. If you solicit their services, they can use a plethora of tactics to increase your chances of case dismissal. For instance, they can look for a procedural error in the arresting officer’s part such as failure to give you adequate counsel, failure to obtain a valid search warrant, and neglecting to read you your Miranda rights. If dismissal is not possible, the objective is acquittal. Your attorney can require the prosecutor to provide solid evidence that you took the item or cash, such as eyewitness testimonies, video footage, or similar artifacts. If the prosecutor cannot prove your guilt, your lawyer can build a strong defense on your behalf.

Why You Need Our Attorney

The number one reason you should choose our firm is our consistent history of criminal defense success. We have many years of experience helping people like you overcome unfounded accusations and unjust charges. Additionally, our firm offers affordable prices for our superior representation. You can call or complete a short form on our website to schedule a meeting with one of our attorneys. We are confident that you will be pleased with the service we provide.

Why You Should Hire an Attorney for a Charge Of Petty Theft

What is Petty Theft?

Penalties of Petty Theft

Petty theft carries a range of penalties depending on the value of the property in question. If the theft is valued at less than $50, the offender receives an infraction and a fine of up to $250. All other cases of petty theft are punishable with up to $1,000 in fines and six months of jail time. It’s worth noting that stealing property with a value of less than $950 may not always be classified as a misdemeanor. A person can still receive a felony charge, depending on who initiated the charge, so it’s recommendable to consult an attorney to explore your options for acquittal or dismissal.

Petty Theft with Prior Convictions

If you have prior convictions, facing a petty theft charge could pose significant challenges. Authorities may perceive you as having failed to learn from previous convictions and hence impose more severe penalties. If you get convicted of petty theft again, you can face a jail term of up to a year.

Why You Need an Attorney

There are numerous reasons for seeking the services of an attorney if you’re facing petty theft charges. An attorney approaches your case objectively and offers professional support. They listen to your story, assess your chances for dismissal or acquittal, and offer invaluable advice on the right course of action. If you decide to enlist their services, they can use a plethora of tactics to increase your chances of case dismissal, such as challenging procedural errors made during arrest or other legal rifts. If dismissal is not possible, the objective is acquittal, and your attorney can require the prosecutor to provide solid evidence that you took the item or cash before building a robust defense on your behalf.

Why You Need Our Attorney

If you’re looking for the legal representation for your petty theft charge, look no further than our firm. We have a long history of success in criminal defense and many years of experience helping people overcome unfounded accusations and unjust charges. Our prices are affordable for our superior legal representation, and we offer various ways of getting in touch with us, including calling or completing a short form on our website.