Theft is a crime that can be charged numerous ways in California, depending on how much was allegedly taken and how. The penalties for these crimes can vary. How they are charged also depends on the prosecutor and the actions of your own attorney. Here are some of the theft crimes in California.
Petty theft is the most minor form of theft. This is property valued below $950, and it is akin to shoplifting. There may be issues in how the prosecutor is valuing the property that was taken. This is a “wobbler” crime that could result in a prison sentence of up to two months.
When the property is valued higher, it becomes grand theft. This can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony based on the defendant’s prior criminal record. If the charge is a felony, the prosecutor could seek up to three years in prison.
More Serious Types of Theft Crimes
The penalties become worse when the defendant allegedly does something worse than just take the property. When they use force or the threat of force, it is robbery. Then, the penalty depends on where the crime happened. The jail sentence can range up to nine years if the crime happened inside a structure or near an ATM.
If the defendant has entered another’s property unlawfully with the intent of taking property, it is burglary. Residential burglary can be punished with up to six years in prison. The sentence will be higher if a firearm is used in the commission of the crime.
Contact a Sacramento and Marin County Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are facing theft charges, your Sacramento criminal defense attorney could challenge charges that do not match the facts or can fight the case if the evidence does not support the charge. Contact the Mason Law Firm online or call us at 833.717.1127 to schedule your consultation to discuss your case.
