Being arrested for a theft crime can be a harrowing and traumatizing experience, especially if this is your first offense. The good news is that, by working with an experienced Glendale theft crimes lawyer from our firm, you can get the help you deserve when facing the legal system.
Our Glendale criminal defense lawyers have decades of experience defending clients charged with all types of theft crimes, both misdemeanors and felonies. Simmrin Law Group is here to guide you through the legal process and provide strong advocacy for your case.
Why Do You Need a Theft Crimes Lawyer Serving Glendale, CA?
Facing theft crime charges, whether it’s petty theft, grand theft, or receiving stolen property, can have serious consequences, including jail time, fines, or a permanent criminal record under the California Penal Code.
Hiring an experienced Glendale theft crimes lawyer ensures you have skilled legal support throughout your criminal case and helps protect your constitutional rights.
- Top-tier guidance in criminal defense: A criminal defense attorney provides advice and representation tailored to your specific theft crime, ensuring your case is handled according to the California Penal Code and minimizing the risk of harsh penalties.
- Protection of constitutional rights: Criminal lawyers safeguard your rights during interactions with police officers, investigations, and the district attorney to prevent unlawful procedures from harming your defense.
- Handling petty theft and grand theft cases: Whether charged with a class 1 misdemeanor or felony charges, a Glendale criminal lawyer can strategize the best approach to reduce criminal charges or secure favorable plea bargains.
- Experience with white collar crimes and other offenses: From white collar crimes and drug possession to DUI cases, sex crimes, and vehicular crimes like grand theft auto, a criminal defense lawyer can face challenging criminal justice issues effectively.
- Representation in court and jury trials: An experienced Glendale criminal lawyer can represent you in court, negotiate with prosecutors, and fight for your case at jury trials when necessary.
- Mitigating consequences: A skilled criminal defense attorney works to reduce jail time, probation violations, and criminal history impact, while guiding clients through plea negotiations or alternative sentencing options.
- Comprehensive legal support: Law firms like Simmrin Law Group provide full-service legal support, coordinating all aspects of your defense from initial charges to trial, ensuring you are never alone in the criminal justice system.
For a free legal consultation with a theft crimes lawyer serving Glendale, call (310) 896-2723
Our Glendale Theft Crimes Attorneys Can Defend You Against Many Types of Theft
The various types of theft crimes are laid out in the California Penal Code, Chapter 5, Larceny [484 – 502.9]. Simply put, theft, or larceny, is the stealing or taking of another person’s property.
But the law really isn’t that simple when it comes to what you might be charged with and what penalties you might face. Each theft charge has its own unique criteria and penalties. A good theft crimes lawyer can help you make sense of it all and get your life back to normal.
Grand Theft
You can be charged with grand theft in California if you’re accused of stealing something worth more than $950. Grand theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The court or prosecutor will make the determination based on the circumstances of the case and your own criminal history.
Penalties for a conviction range from less than a year in jail for a misdemeanor to 3 years in state prison followed by probation. If the grand theft involved a firearm, it is a “strike” under California’s three strikes law.
Grand Theft Auto
Grand theft auto, or GTA, is almost always charged as a felony. As the name implies, grand theft auto is similar to grand theft but specifically involves the theft of a vehicle. You can be charged with GTA if you broke in and hotwired the car or if you merely opened an unlocked car with the keys in it and drove away.
Penalties for a grand theft auto felony conviction include:
- 16 months to 3 years incarcerated behind bars
- 1 extra year if the car was worth over $65,000, or 2 extra years if it was worth over $200,000
- A fine of up to $10,000
Petty Theft
The charge of petty theft generally covers any theft of property worth less than $950 and is a misdemeanor crime. Please note that, in petty theft, you didn’t mug or rob someone, but you did still steal something.
However, it is not petty theft, but a separate crime if you stole:
- A motor vehicle (grand theft auto)
- Firearms
- Horses
- Agricultural products (like produce) or fish/shellfish worth more than $200
The penalties for petty theft include up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Robbery
Robbery is taking something from someone by force, often with the threat of violence. It is Glendale’s most serious theft offense, and a conviction can mean 2 to 9 years in prison, or life in prison if you shot someone during the robbery.
Robbery is always a felony, and a conviction carries stiff penalties that vary based on the circumstances. Penalties include:
- 3 to 6 years in prison
- A fine of up to $10,000
- Probation and felon status for life
- An extra 10-20 years in prison if you used a gun and no one was hurt
- An extra 25 years to life in prison if someone was shot
Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle
Unlawful taking of a vehicle, also known as the joyriding law, is a less serious offense than grand theft auto. With grand theft auto, the intent is to keep the car permanently, often selling it for scrap.
With unlawful taking of a vehicle, many times, the intent is to just go for a joyride or get from one point to another, and then abandon the vehicle. Often, we can get grand theft auto charges reduced to unlawful taking of a vehicle. It all depends on your individual circumstances.
Penalties for unlawful taking of a vehicle range from less than a year in jail and a fine of up to $5,000, to 3 years in prison. For help, reach out to our California law firm 24/7.
Glendale Theft Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
If You’ve Been Arrested for a Theft Crime in Glendale
If you’ve been arrested for a theft crime, it’s important not to panic, and remember three things:
- Don’t talk to the police
- Don’t plead guilty
- Hire an attorney from Simmrin Law Group
Simmrin Law Group has a number of Glendale theft crime lawyers who can help you with your case. We may be able to get the criminal charges reduced or even dismissed. And if your case does go to trial, you can be confident that we have developed a strong defense.
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Get a Free Consultation With Our Theft Crimes Lawyers Serving Glendale, CA
If you or someone you know has been charged with a theft crime, you should contact an experienced Glendale theft crimes lawyer. Call Simmrin Law Group or use our contact form to get a free case evaluation.
We’re available to help you 24/7, so contact our law firm right now, then visit our FAQ page to learn more about why you need a criminal defense team on your side.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form