You can face highly skilled prosecutors if you are charged with a theft crime in Palmdale, CA. The court system punishes any act of theft very severely. A conviction for theft or robbery can lead to extremely high fines and time spent in jail or prison.
Boosting your chances for legal success is vitally important with a theft charge. You can work with an experienced theft crimes lawyer from Palmdale to improve your odds in the courtroom. The Simmrin Law Group has years of experience defeating prosecutors and a history of success that you can draw on.
Defend Yourself from Theft Crime Charges
The state of California uses several unique charges to handle theft in the court system, including:
- Petty Theft
- Grand Theft
- Robbery
You might also face special charges if you are accused of stealing a motor vehicle, such as grand theft auto and unlawful taking of a vehicle.
Depending on your situation, you could be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony when facing theft crime charges in Palmdale. A conviction can impact your life for years to come. Make sure you’re getting the legal help you need by working with a criminal defense lawyer who understands the court system in Palmdale.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Palmdale, call (310) 896-2723
Petty Theft and Grand Theft Charges in Palmdale
General theft accusations in California are handled with two distinct charges:
Petty Theft
You can be charged with petty theft if you are accused of stealing something worth less than $950 without directly robbing someone. You will not be charged with petty theft if you steal horses, firearms, or motor vehicles.
Petty theft can be accomplished through acts such as larceny, embezzlement, and fraud. The court system in Palmdale considers petty theft to be a misdemeanor. A conviction can lead to 6 months of time in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
Grand Theft
Grand theft occurs if someone steals something worth over $950. You can also face grand theft charges if you stole over $250 worth of:
- Fish
- Shellfish
- Certain Agricultural Products
Additionally, mugging someone directly can result in grand theft charges, even if the amount stolen was very small. The Palmdale court system can treat grand theft as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on your situation.
Focus on defending yourself in and out of the courtroom by contacted a skilled theft crime lawyer who has the skills necessary to navigate California’s court system.
Criminal Defense Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Palmdale’s Robbery Charges
California defines robbery as using force or fear to take someone else’s property. You can only be convicted of robbery if you physically took property from someone. A robbery charge requires that you intended to keep the property you took.
You can face two charges if accused of robbery in Palmdale:
First Degree Robbery
First degree robbery occurs if someone is robbed while they are inside a motor vehicle. You can also face first degree robbery charges if you steal from someone in an inhabited structure or near an ATM. First degree robbery carries serious consequences and a conviction can lead to 9 years in prison and fines of $10,000.
Second Degree Robbery
The charge of second degree robbery addresses situations not covered by first degree robbery. Individuals facing a second degree robbery conviction will not be penalized as severely, though you can still be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison if found guilty.
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Theft Crimes Involving Vehicles in California
Acts of theft that involve motor vehicles are handled with special charges in the Palmdale area. The state of California uses two charges for motor vehicle theft:
Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle
Unlawful taking of a vehicle occurs if you take the motor vehicle of another person without their permission, but you do not intend to keep it. This charge is less severe than grand theft auto, but it may still be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Grand Theft Auto
You can be charged with grand theft auto if you take someone else’s motor vehicle and intend to keep it. Grand theft auto is usually charged as a felony by the courts in Palmdale. You can end up spending 3 years in prison and paying fines of $10,000 if you are convicted of grand theft auto.
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Make Sure You’re Defended with a Palmdale Theft Crimes Lawyer
A theft crimes conviction in Palmdale can lead to hefty fines and time spent in jail or prison. You can improve your odds of a legal victory by contacting a theft crimes lawyer as soon as possible. Working with the Simmrin Law Group gives you access to experienced lawyers who are familiar with the court system in Palmdale. Get started on your case by contacting us today for a FREE consultation. You can reach us at (310) 896-2723 or by filling out the form on the right.
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