Top Lafayette, CA Theft Lawyers Near You
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600 Allerton St, Suite 201, Redwood City, CA 94063
Get assistance for your Theft issue in the Lafayette, California area. Peter F. Goldscheider Law Offices can help.
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803 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Need help with Theft in California? Jayne Law Group, P.C. helps clients in the Lafayette area.
600 Montgomery Street, Suite 3100, San Francisco, CA 94111
1255 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, CA 94597
1333 North California Boulevard, Suite 450, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
475 Sansome St, 16th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
235 Pine Street, Suite 1150, San Francisco, CA 94104
6689 Owens Drive, Suite 100, Pleasanton, CA 94588
One Embarcadero Center, 32nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
611 Gateway Blvd, Suite 120, South San Francisco, CA 94080
1970 Broadway, Suite 1145, Oakland, CA 94612
50 California St, Suite 3300, San Francisco, CA 94111
420 Third Street, Suite 250, Oakland, CA 94607
1101 Marina Village Pkwy, Suite 201, Alameda, CA 94501
1388 Sutter Street, Suite 805, San Francisco, CA 94109
1300 Clay St, Suite 685, Oakland, CA 94612
4 Embarcadero Center, 27th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94111
600 Allerton St., Suite 201, Redwood City, CA 94063
1 Front Street, Suite 3200, San Francisco, CA 94111
One Market Plaza, Spear Tower, Suite 2200, San Francisco, CA 94105
655 Montgomery Street, Suite 900, San Francisco, CA 94111
Airport Corporate Center, #1120, 7677 Oak Port Street, San Francisco, CA 94621
201 Spear Street, Suite 1100, San Francisco, CA 94105
7677 Oakport Street, Suite 1120, Oakland, CA 94621
420 Third Street #200, Oakland, CA 94607
Lafayette Theft Information
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The Crime of Theft
A charge of theft can vary in severity and can be defined as robbery, burglary or larceny. Typically theft is defined as the taking of another person’s property without that person’s consent with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of it. The state you live in usually determines the typical definition of theft. An attorney can define a charge of theft for you as it pertains to your case.
What Is Considered a Theft Crime?
The term theft crime is used to refer to a broad category of crimes including robbery, larceny, petty (or petit) and grand theft, embezzlement, extortion and various forms of fraud.
Theft is said to have taken place when an offender steals, misappropriates or forcefully takes (in the case of robbery) property that does not lawfully belong to them.
Is Theft a Misdemeanor or a Felony?
Theft is considered petty/petit theft which is generally a misdemeanor if the sum value of goods or property stolen does not exceed a particular threshold. Said threshold depends on the state in which the case is being heard, but ranges from $500 to $1,000 in most instances.
For example, in certain states, petty theft is considered to be a Class A misdemeanor if the theft is less than $500 but in others where petty theft is also classified as a misdemeanor, that threshold is $950.
Some iterations of theft, such as armed robbery, are almost always classified as felonies. Regardless of the sum value of the property being stolen, robbery — armed or otherwise — is typically treated more severely than simple theft for a few reasons. Firstly, these forms of theft involve violent acts or at the least the threat of violence. Secondly, robbery and adjacent offenses involve aggression against a present victim (unlike, say, burglary committed when the victim or victims are not home).
What Is the Punishment for Theft?
The punishment for theft (or larceny, depending on the legal language used in individual statutes) varies from state to state. At the federal level, theft of public property could result in the guilty party being sentenced to prison for up to 10 years. If the sum of public property stolen is valued at less than $1,000, the maximum amount of incarceration which can be ordered in federal court is instead set at no more than one year.
Theft charges are more commonly pursued at the state level, however. Punishments generally correspond to the severity of the theft (the sum being stolen, aggravating factors such as the threat or use of force, etc.). Felony charges result in advanced penalties as compared to misdemeanor charges upon conviction. Misdemeanor convictions can lead to up to a year in jail, while felony convictions generally carry a prison sentence of between three to 25 years with them.
In the state of New York, grand larceny (their terminology concerning property theft) can fall under a variety of categorical degrees, from fourth to first-degree felony charges. Fourth-degree grand larceny charges result in up to four years imprisonment, as well as a fine of double damages, while first-degree grand larceny charges (levied when the sum stolen exceeds $1 million in value) can lead to a 25-year-long prison term.
How Can You Avoid Jail Time for Theft?
The best way to avoid a jail or prison term as a result of being charged with theft or theft-related charges is to secure skilled and experienced legal representation.
Have You Been Charged With Theft?
If you have been charged with the crime of theft, then you will have the option to hire an attorney or have one appointed to you. A skilled theft attorney can help protect your rights before and during trial.
Do You Need an Attorney for a Theft Charge in California?
If you’re facing charges related to theft, it is vitally important that you immediately seek out legal representation. Without adequate legal counsel, the chances of avoiding conviction decrease. A professional and invested defense team will represent your best interests.
Attorney-client privilege allows you to discuss the particular details surrounding your case with your legal counsel, giving you the opportunity to divulge all material evidence and to decide the best course of action. Further, lawyers familiar with standing precedent, existing case law and the state statutes related to your charges may be able to engage a number of common defenses against theft charges — ranging from simple innocence (if the prosecution has a weak body of evidence) to entrapment, coercion, duress or a number of other options.
If, in your case, it is deemed that it might be better to attempt to negotiate (a plea bargain or similar) there is a strict advantage in having your lawyer do so on your behalf.