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If
you have been caught stealing …
Know
What to Expect from
the California Theft Laws
· Petty
Theft or Shoplifting
– Petty Theft or Shoplifting
is the stealing of merchandise whose value
is $400 or less. Petty Theft can
be charged as a misdemeanor or
felony, depending on the number
of previous theft offenses.
· Grand
Theft
– When the value of the stolen goods
exceeds $400, the crime is considered
Grand Theft. Grand Theft can
be charged as a misdemeanor or
felony and, like Petty Theft, depends
on the number of previous stealing
offenses.
· Grand
Theft Auto
– When the stolen property
is someone else’s car or vehicle
the crime of Grand Theft Auto is
charged (under California Vehicle Code
§10851). Like Grand Theft, Grand
Theft Auto may be considered a felony
or misdemeanor, depending on the defendant’s
criminal history.
· Robbery
– The taking of another’s
property by threat or force is considered
Robbery. Considered a California
felony, the charge of Robbery comes with
serious penalties, including a ‘strike’
on the defendant’s record.
· Receiving
Stolen Property
– If you have stolen property in
your possession, whether you know it or
not, you may be charged with the crime
of Receiving Stolen Property.
· Burglary
– Breaking and entering into
a home(or house breaking) with
the intent to commit a theft crime
or felony is considered Burglary. In
California, Burglary is classified by
degrees, and the felony or misdemeanor
charge is assigned accordingly.
· False
Pretenses
– The use of false statements to
obtain another’s property is False
Pretenses.
· Embezzlement
– Taking another’s property
or money while in your lawful possession
is the crime of Embezzlement. Employees
and Trustees have often been charged with
Embezzlement crimes.
· Identity
Theft –
The act of impersonating someone by using
their personal information such as, birth
date, social security number, bank account
information, and other data for unlawful
purposes is considered Identity Theft.
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