Have you recently been arrested and charged with a property crime? There are several types of offenses that could result in property crime charges across the state of California.
When you are scared and confused regarding the charges against you, but you do not know where to turn for help, be sure to contact an experienced Ontario property crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group for a confidential case review. When you have our firm helping defend your name, you may be able to increase your chances of dodging a conviction.
Types of Property Crimes You Could Be Charged with in Ontario
There are multiple types of property crime charges you could be facing. It is up to your property crimes lawyer in Ontario, CA, to carefully evaluate the charges that have been filed against you so we can properly determine the extent of the potential penalties you are facing.
Some of the more common types of property crimes people are charged with include:
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Burglary
- Robbery
- Criminal trespassing
- Arson
Vandalism
Vandalism can involve more than graffiti on the side of a public building. Some examples of events that could trigger vandalism charges could include:
- Egging a home
- Defacing public property
- Keying a car
- Writing in wet cement
These are just a few examples of the types of vandalism charges our Ontario property crimes attorneys may be able to help you defend against. Do not hesitate to contact our office if you have been accused of another type of offense related to vandalism.
Theft
Also commonly referred to me, you can be charged with theft any time you take someone else’s property and intend to permanently deprive them of it. In certain circumstances, your property crimes attorney in Ontario may be able to get your charges reduced to a lesser offense, such as petty theft.
Burglary and Robbery
The terms burglary and robbery are often used interchangeably. However, burglary involves breaking and entering someone else’s property.
You must have the intent to commit a crime for burglary charges to stick. Burglary charges do not necessarily involve any type of theft. However, robbery charges always involve theft. Robbery involves taking someone else’s property via the threat or use of force.
Criminal Trespassing
Our property crime as lawyers at the Simmrin Law Group may also be prepared to help defend you against criminal trespassing charges. Typically, traditional trespassing would be considered a minor offense, punishable by a citation.
However, criminal trespassing is much worse. This involves entering another party’s property with the intent to damage, destroy, or interfere. Criminal trespassing charges can typically occur when an individual refuses to leave someone else’s property after they have been asked to do so.
Arson (Reckless and Malicious)
There are multiple types of arson charges you could face in Ontario, CA. Malicious arson involves the intent to destroy property, harm, defraud, or kill someone else.
Reckless arson is a lesser offense and is frequently charged at the misdemeanor level, while malicious arson is charged at the felony level, according to California Penal Code 451 PC.
For a free legal consultation with a property crimes lawyer serving Ontario, call (310) 896-2723
Potential Criminal Penalties of a Conviction
The consequences you will face if you are found guilty of any of the previously mentioned property crimes can vary widely depending on the type of property crime you have been charged with.
If you were convicted of vandalism, it is possible you could be ordered to spend up to three years in a California state prison, face thousands of hands, be ordered to complete community service hours, and even have your driver’s license suspended or revoked.
Alternatively, if you were convicted of a burglary offense at the misdemeanor level, you could spend up to one year in county jail. If you were convicted of burglary at the felony level, your incarceration time could be dramatically increased to up to six years in a California state prison and fines as high as $10,000.
What About Collateral Consequences?
Criminal penalties are not the only way your life will be affected by a property crimes conviction. There are many collateral consequences you could face as well, including:
- Risk of deportation and other immigration issues
- Loss of child custody or visitation rights
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of employment
- Difficulty finding affordable housing
- Loss of federal student aid
- Loss of firearm rights
Ontario Property Crimes Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
How to Defend Yourself Against Property Crime Accusations
Many individuals charged with property crimes in Ontario, CA may be able to avoid the harsh penalties of a conviction by entering a pretrial diversion program. If this is your first offense, you may be eligible for a pretrial diversion program as long as no one was injured in the incident in question. Pretrial diversion programs are a great opportunity for you to get the charges against you reduced or dismissed.
However, if you need to bring your case to court because you do not qualify for pretrial diversion or the prosecutor is unwilling to work with you to obtain a plea agreement, there are many potential defenses that could be used to fight back against the charges against you. The specific fences used will vary widely based on the type of property crime you are accused of committing. However, some potential defenses could include:
- Lack of sufficient evidence
- Mistaken identity or fact
- The property in question was yours
- You did not damage or interfere with someone else’s property
- Lack of intent to commit a crime
Click to contact our Ontario Criminal Defense Lawyers today
Reach Out to a Property Crimes Lawyer in Ontario for Help Today
A property crime conviction could have a lasting impact on your life. It is imperative that you defend your name so you can avoid the harsh implications of a guilty verdict.
Fill out our online contact form or call our office to learn more about which defenses may be best suited for the property crimes you have been charged with. You can reach an aggressive Ontario property crimes lawyer at the Simmrin Law Group for a confidential case evaluation when you contact our office today.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form