Petty Theft

Orange County Criminal Lawyer

"Petty theft" or shoplifting (also referred to as larceny) is defined as the stealing or taking of the personal property of another.  Although many people are under the impression that petty theft crimes are minor, negligible offenses, these crimes actually can lead to serious consequences. If you have been charged in such a case, an Orange County criminal defense attorney at Cummins & White will review your case and determine an effective strategy.

Petty theft, a misdemeanor offense, generally involves the taking of personal property of another that is worth $400 or less (if the property is valued more than $400 then it is grand theft).  In most circumstances, the potential penalty for a petty theft conviction will involve some jail time (no more than a year in county jail), informal probation, fines, or some combination thereof. 

Few people are aware that if a person is convicted of petty theft for a second or third time, the penalties significantly increase in severity.  California Penal Code Section 666 states that if a person has a prior conviction for petty theft or auto theft and served a term in a penal institution for that offense or as a condition of probation, then a subsequent, separate charge for petty theft can be charged as a felony, also known as a "petty theft with a prior."  Felony charges are generally very serious, and compared to misdemeanors, often carry longer jail times, incarceration in state prison instead of county jail, and more stringent fines.

Our criminal lawyers in Orange County understand that a petty theft charge can ultimately have serious effects on your life, making it difficult to obtain a new job or causing immigration consequences, such as deportation for non-U.S. citizens.  We have the expertise to fully explain the nature of the charges against you, the potential penalties of each charge, and any potential defenses that are available to you.

Our Orange County criminal law firm also represents clients in a variety of theft-related crimes, including:

• Grand theft
• Automobile theft
• Identity theft
• Receiving stolen property
• Fraud
• Embezzlement

If you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony theft crime, you need an aggressive, knowledgeable Orange County criminal lawyer on your side.  For experienced criminal defense attorneys at Cummins & White, LLP, email us or call us at (888) 339-4127 today for a free consultation.