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Theft Lawyer Baldwin Park, CA. There are few things tougher than facing the Baldwin Park prosecutor alone. It's easy to feel lost when you're up against theft charges. Without help, it's easy to find yourself in a spot where you feel hopeless.

Even when all hope seems lost, there is an option who will fight for you: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our team of legal experts has the tools and training to fight against any theft and related charges. With a Baldwin Park, CA, theft crimes lawyer from our team at your side, you can rest assured that you're getting expert legal representation.

Speak with an attorney right away at (800) 755-5174 or connect with us online for a free, confidential consultation. Delays can cost you your freedom, and we're ready to fight for you today.

Why You Need a Leading Baldwin Park, CA, Theft Defense Lawyer

You should never take theft allegations lightly, regardless of whether or not you're innocent. Without a lawyer, you're stuck trying to decipher a convoluted legal system and increase your risk of the following penalties:

1. Jail Sentence: Baldwin Park, CA, theft convictions can send you to prison, for years in some cases.
2. Financial Penalties: On top of paying back the value of whatever was stolen, fines can give you a serious financial burden.
3. Career Setbacks: Extended stints in jail can prevent you from doing your job, and cause you to lose it.
4. Stained Reputation: Regardless of the facts and circumstances surrounding your case, some people will only look at the conviction.
5. And more.

To maximize your chances of replacing these consequences with freedom, you'll need a Baldwin Park, CA theft crimes lawyer on your case. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley . Here's some of what sets us apart:

What Sets the Law Offices of David S. Chesley Apart

Picking the right Baldwin Park, CA theft crimes defense lawyer can make all the difference for your case. Here's what set us apart — and how it will impact your case:

• Former District Attorneys & Judges — We have experience and insights from our time in other areas of the law. We use that inside knowledge to dismantle the prosecution's strategy.
• Extensive Court Relationships — With more than five decades of total legal experience, the state knows how hard we will fight for our clients and we know how to make use of our relationships to earn better deals for our clients.
• Defenses Built for Trial — No matter what the charge is, we prepare as if for a trial. This not only ensures that we're prepared, but also helps us secure more favorable plea deals or get your case dismissed.
• Expungement Services — Even after the fact, we're still here to help. Don't let an arrest or criminal record hold you back — speak with one of our Baldwin Park, CA, criminal defense attorneys to discuss expungement options.
• Terrific Reputation – We are well-known for our tenacious representation.
• Always Availalbe — Our team is available whenever you need us most. You can reach a theft crimes attorney any time of day or night — because waiting until Monday morning can cost you critical opportunities.
• Completely Private — Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege. Speak freely — we need the full story to build the strongest possible defense for you.

Every Theft Charge We Defend in Baldwin Park, CA

Click any charge below to navigate directly to a full breakdown of the law, consequences, and additional information.

Attempted Burglary | Attempted Robbery | Bribery | Burglary (Residential) | Burglary of a Vehicle | Carjacking | Commercial Burglary | Credit Card Fraud | Elder Financial Abuse | Embezzlement | Extortion | Forgery | Fraud / False Pretenses | Grand Theft | Grand Theft Auto | Grand Theft of a Firearm | Health Care Fraud | Home Health Fraud | Home Invasion Burglary | Hospice Fraud | Identity Theft | Insurance Fraud | Joyriding | Looting | Medicare Fraud | Money Laundering | Perjury | Petty Theft | Petty Theft with a Prior | Possession of Stolen Vehicle | Receiving Stolen Property | Robbery | Shoplifting (PC 459.5) | Theft from an Elder | Trespassing | Vandalism | Vehicle Theft | Welfare Fraud | White Collar Crimes

Baldwin Park, CA, Theft Allegations We Defend Against

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're experienced in defending against charges of theft. Should you need a theft crimes lawyer in Baldwin Park, CA, act fast: contact us right away for a free, confidential consultation.

Our lawyers can help you fight all of the following allegations:

Petty Theft Charges vs Grand Theft Charges

In Baldwin Park, CA, many theft accusations fall under one of these two charges: Petty theft and grand theft. You can face these charges for taking someone's possessions without permission. The main difference is how much value was allegedly stolen: For anything $950 or less, the charges will ordinarily be petty theft, while any more will typically be grand theft.

Fighting petty theft charges is usually easier because the potential penalties are less severe (it's normally charged as a misdemeanor). On the other hand, defending grand theft charges pose a greater obstacle, because they are frequently charged as felonies. In either case, a skillful theft crimes lawyer can help you minimize penalties.

Below, we've written a table to summarize the differences between petty theft and grand theft:

Shoplifting — Proposition 47 / Penal Code § 459.5

Proposition 47 was passed in 2014, defining and setting penalties for shoplifting. Prior to 2014, it was actually considered a form of burglary, instead of a distinct crime. A person commits shoplifting when they go into an open store in order to steal $950 or less worth of goods.

While it's still technically possible for shoplifting charges to be felonies, this is not as common as when it was considered a form of burglary. Today, most shoplifting charges are misdemeanors. That said, felony charges can still be applied in certain situations, like an organized shoplifting ring. Whether you're up against a felony or misdemeanor charge, a local Baldwin Park, CA theft crimes lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and avoid making mistakes that could have major consequences.

Organized retail theft (multiple defendants or repeat offenses coordinated to steal from retailers) is increasingly prosecuted aggressively by Baldwin Park, CA, prosecutors following recent state legislation.

Shoplifting Potential Penalties:

• Jail Time: Up to 6 months
• Fines: Up to $1,000
• Civil Demand: Retailers may send civil demand letters
• Other: Probation, banned from store

Defense options include: No intention to steal, mistake of fact, entrapment by loss prevention, Fourth Amendment violations during detention, and diversion programs for first-time offenders.

Petty Theft with a Prior — California Penal Code § 666

Petty theft with a prior — sometimes abbreviated PTWP — allows prosecutors to elevate what would ordinarily be a misdemeanor petty theft charge into a wobbler when the defendant has a qualifying prior conviction on their record. Not every prior offense in Baldwin Park, CA, qualifies for these enhancement, but if you have any prior convictions on your record, it's critical to work with an expert theft lawyer to defend you.

To activate this sentencing enhancement, the state must establish: (1) the suspect is guilty of petty theft; and (2) the accused has at least one prior conviction for theft, robbery, carjacking, burglary, or a similar qualifying offense — particularly where the defendant served time in jail or prison for that prior. This law is applicable in many cases today, even after being limited in scope by Proposition 47 in 2014. Even if you have a non-theft prior conviction, you can still see your petty theft charge upgraded to a wobbler — several violent crime and sex crime convictions are also eligible.

Possible Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler
• Misdemeanor Jail: Up to 1 year in county jail
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Applicable Priors: Prior theft, burglary, robbery, or carjacking convictions

Vehicle Theft Charges We Fight in Baldwin Park, CA

There are several vehicle theft charges we defend in Baldwin Park, CA. One of the ones people commonly think of is grand theft auto, but that's actually not a law of its own. Grand theft auto is defined in a subsection of California's 'grand theft' law, which states that anyone who steals an automobile (regardless of its value) can be charged with grand theft.

Grand theft auto charges are usually used when the defendant allegedly didn't intend to return the vehicle. On the other hand, if the alleged offender wasn't going to keep it, they're probably going to face charges of joyriding. While grand theft auto and joyriding are both 'wobbler' offenses, in Baldwin Park, CA, grand theft auto is normally charged as a felony, while joyriding is normally a misdemeanor.

If you're caught in possession of a stolen vehicle, you can face criminal charges for that, too. As a parallel to the charge of receiving stolen property, you can be convicted even if you didn't take an active part in the theft. Even just owning or having the car or truck can result in these charges.

When you work with us, you'll work with a vehicle theft crimes lawyer who has relationships with the local courts and can argue for reduced charges in many cases. Call now to start building your defense.

Grand Theft Auto — California Penal Code § 487(d)(1)

If you allegedly stole a car, you might expect to face grand theft auto charges. However, grand theft auto does not have its own statute in California — all automobile thefts fall under the umbrella of "grand theft" in the state. This means even stealing a beater worth $200 can result in a grand theft auto charge.

The critical element prosecutors must prove is that you intended to permanently deprive the owner of the vehicle. If you intended to return it, the charge is more likely joyriding (see below).

Possible Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler (usually felony in Baldwin Park, CA)
• Felony Prison Sentence: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail Sentence: Up to 1 year
• Fines: Up to $10,000

Vehicle Theft — California Vehicle Code § 10851

Vehicle Code § 10851 is commonly charged with or in place of grand theft auto. Unlike grand theft auto, this statute does not require intent to permanently deprive the owner. If you deprive someone of their vehicle with any intentions, this law applies.

Grand theft auto is a more serious offense, but is also harder for prosecutors to secure convictions for. Because of this, they often use § 10851 instead.

Joyriding — California Vehicle Code § 10851

Joyriding refers specifically to taking or driving a vehicle without the owner's consent, but with the intention of returning it. It may not sound like a big deal to borrow a car without permission and bring it back, but a joyriding conviction can be a felony in Baldwin Park, CA, making it critical to get an expert vehicle theft crimes lawyer to defend you.

In most circumstances, Baldwin Park, CA, joyriding cases are handled as misdemeanors. That said, you could face felony charges if you have a criminal record, or the prosecutor thought the action was particularly bad.

Carjacking — California Penal Code § 215

All vehicle theft crime charges are a big deal, but carjacking in particular is a major one. It is defined as taking a motor vehicle from another person through force or fear — essentially a robbery of a car. Due to the violent nature of the crime, carjacking is always a felony and often has a mandatory prison sentence, as probation is not an option.

The impacts of a carjacking conviction are far-reaching, as they include a "strike" on your record. This increases the penalty for future criminal convictions.

Potential Penalties:

• Prison: 3, 5, or 9 years in state prison
• Enhancements: Additional years for weapon use or injury
• Three Strikes: Yes — counts as a strike offense
• Fines: Up to $10,000

Possession of a Stolen Vehicle — California Penal Code § 496d

It may be hard to believe, but you can face vehicle theft related charges without committing theft. If you have a vehicle when you knew or should have know it was stolen, you can be charged under PC § 496d — even if you had no role in the original theft.

This charge can sneak up on you, especially if you ever have purchased a vehicle outside of formal sales channels. The prosecution must prove you had knowledge the vehicle was stolen — your vehicle theft crimes lawyer can argue that you didn't.

Possible Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail: Up to 1 year

White Collar Crime Charges We Defend in Baldwin Park, CA

White collar crimes in Baldwin Park, CA, can be any one of a variety of charges, but each of them share a common trait: abuse of an organization for personal gain.

Many white collar crimes are non-violent, and even non-physical, forms of theft. Embezzlement is a good example of this: For this alleged crime, someone would legally be in charge of a person's or organization's money, but would take from it for personal use. Money laundering is taking money that was otherwise gotten illegally and trying to disguise it as something that was earned legally. Meanwhile, bribery occurs when someone gives another person a gift in order to receive a favor, in a way that violates laws or regulations.

Not all white-collar crimes are transactional in nature, though (at least at first glance). Forgery can be as simple as signing another person's signature without permission, and identity theft involves stealing someone's personal information. You can face either of these charges without having taken money from the alleged victim.

Forgery, Identity Theft, Bribery & More

It's easy to think that white collar accusations aren't taken as seriously as violent crimes in Baldwin Park, CA, but you'd be wrong. The punishments can be dire — incarceration, financial penalties, professional license revocation, and long-lasting reputational damage. These cases require attorneys with deep financial and legal sophistication.

White Collar Crimes — Overview

Individual "white collar crimes" can look very different from each other. For an alleged crime to qualify, it should feature the element of deceit, breach of trust, or abuse of a professional for personal gain. Baldwin Park, CA, because of its proximity to major financial and entertainment centers, sees some of California's most complex white collar prosecutions.

These charges can seemingly come out of nowhere, as state investigators will take months to years to build a case before filing charges. Call us now if you have any reason to believe the police are looking into you. Pre-charge representation can sometimes prevent an indictment entirely.

Embezzlement — California Penal Code § 503

Embezzlement is different from other forms of theft. For an embezzlement charge, the alleged offender would have lawful access to the property, just not for personal use. The main feature is the pre-existing lawful access — embezzlers have legitimate control over the money or property they steal.

Frequent embezzlement scenarios: A company credit card holder using it for personal purchases; a payroll professional creating fake employees and taking their salaries; a financial advisor moving client funds to personal accounts; an employee skimming from cash registers; a charity collector taking cash donations while leaving other types alone.

Potential Penalties:

• Under $950: Misdemeanor — up to 6 months jail
• Over $950: Felony — up to 3 years prison
• Large Amounts: Enhanced sentences up to 10+ years
• Additional: Repay alleged victims, loss of professional licenses

Money Laundering — California Penal Code § 186.10

Money laundering is any way that someone can take 'dirty' money and make it appear 'clean.' It usually consists of three stages: placement (introducing dirty money into the financial system), layering (disguising the trail through complex transactions), and integration (making the funds appear legitimate).

California's money laundering statute is set to combat transactions of more than $5,000 conducted with knowledge that the money was obtained through criminal activity. You could also face federal money laundering charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, risking up to two decades of prison time.

Possible Penalties (State):

• Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Fines: Up to $250,000 or twice the amount laundered
• Federal Add-On: Up to 20 years federal prison

Bribery — California Penal Code § 67–68 / § 92

Bribery involves offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value in order to affect the actions of people in certain positions of power. California law targets multiple forms of bribery — that of government officials, judges, lawmakers, executive officers, witnesses, and even private commercial bribery. Regardless of what position you're in, a Baldwin Park, CA, theft crimes lawyer is essential to protect you from the prosecution.

Important: Whether you offered or accepted a bribe, you can be charged in Baldwin Park, CA. Even if the potential recipient declines the bribe, you could still face charges just for attempting it.

Possible Penalties:

• Charge Type: Felony
• Prison: 2, 3, or 4 years state prison
• Public Officials: Permanent ineligibility for office
• Federal: Up to 15 years (if federal officials involved)

Forgery — California Penal Code § 470

Forgery involves creating, altering, or using a false document with intent to defraud. California Penal Code § 470 is broad and covers bills, receipts, contracts, deeds, power of attorney documents, court orders, prescriptions, lottery tickets, and many other types of written instruments.

Who can face forgery charges? You can be charged with forgery even if no one was actually defrauded. The intent to defraud, in addition to the creation or use of the false document, is sufficient to be convicted.

Possible Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail: Up to 1 year

Identity Theft — California Penal Code § 530.5

In Baldwin Park, CA, identity theft is the unauthorized use of another person's personal identifying information — name, Social Security number, driver's license number, financial account numbers, or other data — for any unlawful purpose, such as obtaining credit, goods, services, or medical information.

Crucially: No financial loss to the victim has to occur for a conviction. Simply obtaining and using someone else's information without a legal reason is enough to warrant a crime under California law. Because of this, you need to work with an expert theft crimes lawyer regardless of the details of your situation.

Baldwin Park, CA, identity theft allegations are very serious, and increasingly involve federal charges if the internet was involved, or the supposed victim and alleged offender were in different states.

Potential Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Per Victim: Charges can stack — one count per victim
• Federal: Up to 15–30 years (aggravated cases)

Fraud Charges We Defend in Baldwin Park, CA

Fraud is one of the most common white collar crimes in Baldwin Park, CA, and it has several subcategories. Broadly speaking, someone who commits theft by acting dishonestly so that another person gives away their money voluntarily can be convicted of fraud. Theft by false pretenses is a basic type of this crime.

Insurance fraud is a popular type of fraud in Baldwin Park, CA, wherein someone lies to an insurance company to collect more money than they are supposed to. For example, if someone were to hide their valuable property and claim it was stollen, that person commits insurance fraud.

This is not unlike welfare fraud, where someone takes advantage of government assistance programs by providing false information to them. An example of this would be pretending that one's income is lower than it actually is in order to receive food stamps.

Another notable variation is credit card fraud. This one is a little different because instead of representing someone about themselves, for credit card fraud, normally a person is lying about the credit card they are using. Maybe it's stolen, expired, or fake, but the bottom line is that the card was not supposed to be used in this way.

An expert theft crimes lawyer in Baldwin Park, CA, can help you navigate the differences between all of these fraud charges, and try to find a deal that gives you the best outcome possible.

Fraud, False Pretenses & Financial Deception

Fraud charges in Baldwin Park, CA, cover a vast range of conduct — from simple misrepresentations to elaborate financial schemes. Your theft crimes lawyer will need to have experience not only with the state law, but also following financial trails.

Theft by False Pretenses / Fraud — California Penal Code § 532

Theft by false pretenses is one of the most common fraud charges in Baldwin Park. These allegations are used when a person intentionally deceives another through false statements or misrepresentations, leading to the second person willingly giving away goods or services. The key element is that the victim willingly hands over the property as a result of being deceived.

Common examples: Lying about being a contest winner; misrepresenting credentials to get paid for work; pitching investments based on false information; lying about the condition of goods sold.

The charge level (misdemeanor vs. felony) depends on the value of the property obtained through fraud, using the same $950 threshold as petty/grand theft.

Insurance Fraud — California Penal Code § 550

Lying to an insurance company to receive a payout or other benefit is insurance fraud. Insurance fraud charges are always a big deal, and are often felonies in Baldwin Park, CA. An expert theft crimes lawyer will defend your freedom and explore all avenues to help you find the best outcome possible

Typical examples include: Claiming existing auto damage is newly occuring; filing claims for injuries that didn't occur; inflating repair cost claims; deliberately damaging your property for a payout; workers' compensation fraud; double billing for a health service.

Potential Penalties:

• Felony Prison: 2, 3, or 5 years
• Fines: Up to $150,000 or double the fraud amount
• Restitution: Full repayment to insurer
• Additional: Career and job restrictions/penalties

Credit Card Fraud — California Penal Code § 484e–484j

In Baldwin Park, CA, credit card fraud covers a wide range of conduct involving fraudulent use of credit or debit cards. This includes using someone else's card without authorization, using a card that has been stolen or counterfeited, using an account number without physical possession of the card, or illegally obtaining or selling card account information.

What to know about federal charges: You are likely to face both federal and state charges, particularly when cards are used across state lines or the internet is involved. Your theft crimes lawyer needs to have experience fighting fraud charges in both state and federal court.

Possible Penalties (State):

• Charge Type: Wobbler
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail: Up to 1 year
• Federal Prison: Up to 15 years (federal charges)

Welfare Fraud — California Welfare & Institutions Code § 10980

Welfare fraud involves making false statements or omissions to receive government assistance benefits — including CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), General Relief, or other public aid programs — that you are not eligible for, or to receive more than you are entitled to.

Common examples: Claiming income is less than it actually is; misrepresenting household composition; using another person's EBT card; falsely claiming a dependent child; not reporting new circumstances that would end benefits eligibility.

Penalties for welfare fraud, if convicted, can result in fines, prison time, and required repayment of the value taken. A premier Baldwin Park, CA, theft crimes lawyer can help show issues in the prosecution's case and boost your chances of a positive outcome.

Possible Penalties:

• Under $950 (commonly): Misdemeanor — up to 6 months jail
• Over $950: Felony — up to 3 years prison
• Repayment: Full restitution to the government

Additional: Loss of future benefit eligibility

Hospice Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1347 / California Penal Code § 550

Hospice fraud occurs when a hospice provider bills Medicare, Medi-Cal, or private insurers for services that were not rendered, were medically unnecessary, or were provided to patients who did not actually qualify for hospice care. To be eligible forMedicare hospice benefits, a patient must be predicted to pass away within half a year if their current health conditions progress in a typically expected manner — it's common for the prosecution to allege that the patient's condition did not meet this criteria in these cases.

This type of fraud is more often alleged towards providers over patients. Because healthcare professionals have more access to control billing and provide diagnoses, they are at higher risk of being accused of hospice fraud. These accusations are particularly dangerous because they are often charged in federal court in Baldwin Park, CA, meaning you're up against very difficult odds.

Warning: If you've been accused of hospice fraud in criminal court, you can expect a civil suit to follow. A qui tam relator (whistleblower) can trigger a False Claims Act lawsuit resulting in treble damages and civil penalties entirely separate from any criminal indictment. These investigations can go on for extended periods of time without your knowledge, until the state is ready to file charges.

Potential Penalties:

• Federal Prison: Up to 10 years per count (18 U.S.C. § 1347)
• Civil FCA Liability: Treble damages plus $13,000–$27,000 per false claim
• State Charges: Up to 5 years (CA Penal Code § 550)
• Additional: Exclusion from Medicare/Medi-Cal programs; license revocation

Medicare Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1347 / 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b

Medicare fraud encompasses a broad range of conduct involving the submission of false or fraudulent claims to the Medicare program. In Baldwin Park, CA, Medicare fraud charges are normally conducted in federal court, rather than by the local prosecutor. You need a theft lawyer who operates at a high level to protect you from these charges.

Common schemes include: billing for services never rendered; upcoding (billing for a more expensive service than was actually provided); unbundling (billing separately for procedures that should be billed together at a lower combined rate); billing for medically unnecessary services; kickback arrangements for patient referrals; and identity theft of patient or physician billing credentials. Because Medicare billing data is centrally maintained, federal agents can identify statistical anomalies and billing patterns across thousands of claims — meaning investigations often begin long before a provider is aware they are being scrutinized.

Warning: The Anti-Kickback Statute (42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b) makes it a federal crime to offer, pay, solicit, or receive anything of value to induce referrals of Medicare-covered services. Violations can arise even when the underlying medical service was legitimately provided. You can be accused of breaking this law whether you gave or received the money.

Potential Penalties:

• Federal Prison: Up to 10 years per count (up to 20 if serious bodily injury results)
• Anti-Kickback Violations: Up to 10 years per violation
• Civil FCA Liability: Treble damages plus civil monetary penalties per claim
• Additional: Ineligibility for all federal health care programs

Health Care Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1347 / California Penal Code § 550

Health care fraud, under United States federal law, is when an individual lies to either their insurance agency or the government to receive some kind of benefit related to health care. As opposed to Medicare fraud, these charges can be made whether you allegedly defrauded the government's healthcare programs or a private insurance company.

You can face federal charges in some cases, but it's more common for these to be state charges. California's statute specifically addresses situations where a person lies or embellishes insurance claims, such as filing multiple claims in situations where only one would apply. These are some of the most complicated cases to defend in Baldwin Park, CA, as they often involve extensive medical records and expert testimony/analysis. Healthcare providers, billing organizations, office workers, and support staff have all been accused of this violation at various points in time.

Possible Penalties:

• Federal Prison: Up to 10 years per count (18 U.S.C. § 1347)
• If Death Results: Up to life imprisonment (federal)
• State Felony: 2, 3, or 5 years (CA PC § 550)
• Fines: Up to $250,000 (individual) or $500,000 (organization)
• Additional: Restitution, professional license consequences

Home Health Fraud — 18 U.S.C. § 1347 / 42 U.S.C. § 1320a-7b

Home health fraud, at a fundamental level, it involves the same alleged act (lying in order to receive health care benefits). This one in particular is related to in-home health services — including skilled nursing visits, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medical social services. In order to be eligible for Medicare reimbursement, a patient must be homebound and require specialized care. Because of the particulars of the definition, these cases can vary wildly from one another.

Common schemes include: billing for visits to patients who are not homebound and do not qualify; billing for services that were never provided; falsifying physician orders and certifications to manufacture eligibility; paying illegal kickbacks to recruiters, physicians, or patient cappers for referrals; and billing therapy services at inflated frequency levels unsupported by clinical documentation. Southern California has historically been one of the country's highest-risk regions for home health fraud, and federal task forces have conducted simultaneous multi-agency takedowns targeting dozens of home health agencies in Baldwin Park, CA. Owners, administrators, therapists, and referring physicians have all been prosecuted.

Critical Note: There are special restrictions placed on doctors to prevent home health fraud. For example, the United States' Stark Law makes it illegal for a doctor to send a patient to a home health services provider that the physician financially benefits from. Outside of the criminal case, you can face fines, need to pay restitution, and be excluded from Medicare — to make matters worse, you can be convicted of violating this law even if you unintentionally broke it.

Possible Penalties:

• Federal Prison: Up to 10 years per count
• Anti-Kickback Violations: Up to 10 years per violation
• Civil FCA Liability: Treble damages plus penalties per false claim
• Administrative: Exclusion from Medicare/Medi-Cal; agency decertification

Violent Theft Charges We Fight in Baldwin Park, CA

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing both theft charges and violent crime charges in Baldwin Park, CA. This can be the case when you're accused of robbery. Robbery occurs when one person threatens or attacks someone in order to take something from them. This is in contrast to burglary, where the alleged victim is not present during the act. Carjacking can be compared to grand theft auto in the same way.

However, some thefts which did not start out violent can end up involving violence. Home invasion charges can take place when a person allegedly breaks into a location to commit a burglary, but finds people inside and threatens them with violence.

Extortion relies more on threats than actual violence to commit a theft. When one person commits extortion, they threaten another in order to get something from them. The threats don't always have to consist of physical violence, but the threat should be to harm the alleged victim in some form or fashion. For example, if a person threatened to attack their manager unless they were given a favorable schedule, that person could be accused of extortion.

Robbery, Extortion & Force-Related Theft

When theft involves force, fear, or coercion, the penalties increase dramatically. You're almost guaranteed to be facing felony charges. Your Baldwin Park, CA theft crimes lawyer should be someone who knows how to fight violent crime charges as well — at the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we have experience successfully defending against both.

Robbery — California Penal Code § 211

Robbery is taking property from another person directly, using force or fear. This is the key distinction from burglary — the victim must be present. All robbery charges in California are felonies.

The state of California divides robbery charges into two degrees:

• First-Degree Robbery: This is charged when the alleged offense took place:
  1. In someone's house, vehicle, or other building,
  2. In a taxi, or
  3. While the alleged victim was using an ATM
• Second-Degree Robbery: This is charged in any other circumstances

The penalties are usually worse for first-degree robbery.

Possible Penalties:

• 1st Degree Prison: 3, 4, or 6 years
• 2nd Degree Prison: 2, 3, or 5 years
• Weapon Use: +3 to 10 years
• Three Strikes: Yes — serious felony

Extortion (Blackmail) — California Penal Code § 518

If it's alleged that you threatened someone in order to make them give you money or favors, you are likely facing extortion charges. Not every extortion case involves threats of violence; several involve threats to harm someone's reputation instead.

Common examples: Threatening to report someone to immigration authorities unless paid; threatening to post compromising photos of someone online if they leave; threatening to harm someone's reputation unless granted a professional favor.

Potential Penalties:

• Charge Type: Felony
• Prison: 2, 3, or 4 years
• Fines: Up to $10,000

Burglary Charges We Fight in Baldwin Park, CA

Burglary technically isn't always a theft crime, but it is closely related. California defines burglary as entering a location without permission in order to steal something or commit another crime. In most cases, this is a structure, like a retail store (in which case it would be commercial burglary), but not always. For example, if you allegedly smashed a car window to take something from the glovebox, that would be considered burglary of a vehicle.

No matter what kind of burglary you're charged with, you can almost always be charged with trespassing, too. Due to this, what you were allegedly planning to do in a location can be just as important as how you got access to it.

Burglary Related Charges

Shoplifting is closely related to commercial burglary. Prior to 2014, what is now classified as shoplifting would be considered burglary in California. But that all changed with the passage of Proposition 47 in 2014, which made shoplifting a separate crime, applicable when the alleged offender was attempting theft from a store while it is open for operations. These changes had an immediate impact, even for people who had already been convicted. Because it made shoplifting a separate charge from burglary, shoplifting attempts are no longer felonies in Baldwin Park, CA (except in extreme cases).

Another related charge is vandalism. You can be charged with vandalism in California if you purposely damage another person's property, such as by breaking a window to in the process of a theft. It's very likely that you'll be charged with both burglarizing and vandalizing a location together in Baldwin Park, CA, doubling the importance of working with an experienced theft crimes lawyer to protect your rights.

Lastly, you can face theft charges in Baldwin Park, CA, even if you didn't steal anything yourself. How can this be? Receiving stolen property charges. If you allegedly buy or take something that you know is stolen, or help the person who stole it hide the property, you can face these charges.

Burglary, Home Invasion & Related Charges

People commonly think of burglary as entering someone's house to commit theft, but that's not how Baldwin Park, CA law works — you can be charged with burglary for entering a wide range of structures with the intent to commit a crime inside, even if you never actually steal anything.

Residential Burglary (First Degree) — California Penal Code § 459

The different degrees of burglary depend on the location of the alleged crime. You can be convicted of first-degree burglary if you break into someone's residence while planning to commit a theft or any felony inside. You do not have to actually steal anything. The reason that you went there is what matters.

This charge is always a felony and is considered a "strike" offense. This is one of the most serious theft-adjacent charges in California law, and Baldwin Park, CA courts treat it extremely harshly because it involves violation of someone's home. Without the right theft crimes defense lawyer, you're fighting an uphill battle

Potential Penalties:

• Prison: 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison
• Three Strikes: Yes — serious felony strike
• Probation: Generally not available for first-degree
• Fines: Up to $10,000

Commercial Burglary (Second Degree) — California Penal Code § 459

Second-degree burglary is someones called "commercial burglary" because it also involves entering a location with the intent to steal or commit a felony, but as opposed to first-degree burglary, the location is non-residential. You could face either misdemeanor or felony charges for this offense.

Since Proposition 47, entering a store during business hours to steal $950 or less is shoplifting (PC 459.5), not commercial burglary. But entering after hours, or with intent to steal more than $950, is still prosecuted as commercial burglary.

Potential Penalties:

• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail: Up to 1 year
• Charge Type: Wobbler

Burglary of a Vehicle — California Penal Code § 459

Breaking into a car, truck, or other vehicle to steal something inside — or to commit any felony — constitutes vehicle burglary under California law. A typical example of this would be an alleged offender breaking into a car to steal a backpack or wallet within. The details of this charge are different from case to case, because burglary of a vehicle could either be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor.

Common misconception: The vehicle must be locked for a burglary charge to apply. An unlocked vehicle can still lead to theft charges, but for it to be burglary, the vehicle must have been protected.

Home Invasion Burglary With Violence — California Penal Code § 459 / § 211

At the intersection of burglary and violent crimes are home invasion charges. Baldwin Park, CA, prosecutors take these charges extremely seriously and often push for harsh punishments. Without the help of an experienced theft crimes lawyer, you could be looking at over a decade in prison.

While it's possible to be charged with home invasion on its own, it's rare — more often, they'll be accompanied with additional theft and/or violence charges. If you are facing home invasion charges, you need defense attorneys that can give you top-quality service, and you need them now.

Possible Penalties:

• Burglary Base: 2, 4, or 6 years
• Robbery Add-On: Additional 2–5 years
• Weapon Enhancement: Additional 3–10 years
• Three Strikes: Yes — multiple strikes possible

Property & Related Offenses

Receiving Stolen Property, Vandalism & Trespassing

While no criminal theft charges are truly 'simple,' they are made far more complex when they are compounded with related or adjacent charges. You need a Baldwin Park, CA theft crimes lawyer who is prepared to fight every charge and stand by your side throughout the process.

Receiving Stolen Property — California Penal Code § 496

While theft-related, receiving stolen property cases are their own challenge. Under PC § 496, if you buy, receive, conceal, sell, or help conceal property that you know is stolen, you can be convicted — even if you had no role in the original theft.

Receiving stolen property charges can fall apart if you can prove you weren't aware that the item was stolen. This knowledge element is often where we can mount an effective defense. Buying items at a great deal, without knowing their full history, or from unknown sellers, does not make you guilty.

Potential Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail: Up to 1 year

Vandalism — California Penal Code § 594

Vandalism is the malicious defacement, damage, or destruction of another person's property. It is often charged alongside burglary when, for example, a window is broken to gain entry to a home or vehicle. It also applies to graffiti, which is one of the most commonly prosecuted forms of vandalism in Baldwin Park, CA.

While many theft charges become felonies if more than $950 is stolen, a vandalism charge can become a felony if just $400 or more worth of damage is done.

Potential Penalties:

• Under $400: Misdemeanor — up to 1 year jail
• Over $400: Wobbler — up to 3 years prison
• Restitution: Full repair/replacement cost to victim
• Other Common Penalties: Graffiti cleanup, community service

Trespassing — California Penal Code § 602

You can be convicted of trespassing if you allegedly entered a location without permission, or if you stayed there after being told to leave. In many cases, because thefts often involve entering a location where one is not supposed to be, trespassing is charged alongside other offenses.

On its own, trespassing is normally charged as a misdemeanor or infraction. However, Baldwin Park, CA, prosecutors can also use it as a part of a case for more serious charges. Defenses often hinge on whether permission was given or reasonably believed to exist.

Perjury — California Penal Code § 118

Intentionally providing false information to the authorities can result in a perjury charge. While this is not a theft crime per se, it's frequently charged in conjunction with them. This is because it's common for alleged offenders to be dishonest about information that could make them look guilty, not realizing that misleading the police can actually make things worse in the end.

Do not make this mistake: Anything you say during an investigation or prosecution can be used to support a perjury charge if it's later shown to be false. This is why we always advise clients to say nothing without a theft crimes attorney present.

Possible Penalties:

• Charge Type: Felony
• Prison: 2, 3, or 4 years state prison

Specialized & Enhanced Charges

Elder Theft, Firearm Theft, Looting & Attempted Crimes

These charges often carry enhanced penalties beyond standard theft offenses, and require attorneys with specific knowledge of the statutes involved.

Grand Theft of a Firearm — California Penal Code § 487(d)(2)

California law treats firearms very seriously, restricting their availability and usage. Regarding theft, current statutes regarding firearm theft ignore the value of the device and always make it grand theft. This means the theft of even a nearly worthless firearm will end up with a felony charge. Firearm theft can have long-lasting implications, beyond most other theft offenses — this is because it counts as a strike on your record.

As if fighting the charges in your local Baldwin Park, CA court weren't bad enough, you could also find yourself up against federal charges. When you're fighting in two courts, it becomes substantially more complicated to avoid a guilty plea. And it's even more essential to find an attorney that has wide resources and strong legal skills.

Potential Penalties:

• Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Strike: Serious felony — potential strike offense
• Federal: Additional federal charges possible

Theft from an Elder / Financial Elder Abuse — Welfare & Institutions Code § 15610.30

California law provides special enhanced protections for victims aged 65 or older (and dependent adults). Financial elder abuse (also known as theft from an elder) occurs when someone takes, conceals, appropriates, obtains, or retains money or property from an elder by undue influence, fraud, or other wrongful conduct.

The prosecution in Baldwin Park, CA, does not take these charges lightly and usually pursues harsh penalties. If the victim is 70 years or older, additional consecutive prison time can be added. Civil liability and restitution orders frequently accompany criminal proceedings, and Adult Protective Services involvement only makes things more complex.

Common scenarios: Caregiver overcharging for services; family member using power of attorney to take money; contractor overcharging vulnerable seniors; fraudulent investment schemes targeting retirees.

Possible Penalties:

• Base Sentence: Same as underlying theft offense
• Enhancement (65+): +1 year consecutive if loss $65,000–$200,000
• Enhancement (70+): Additional consecutive years for large losses
• Civil Liability: Up to 3× damages in civil court

Looting — California Penal Code § 463

During emergencies, stealing property can be charged as looting. These cases are prosecuted especially hard under California Penal Code § 463, which increases the minimum penalties for many charges.

If the enhanced penalties weren't enough on their own, the Baldwin Park, CA, prosecuting attorney is likely going to go the extra mile for looting whenever possible. During declared states of emergency, prosecutors seek the harshest available penalties, and courts are generally unsympathetic. Looting of a business that is closed due to a civil disturbance, or taking property from an evacuated residence, commonly triggers these charges.

Potential Penalties (Enhanced):

• Petty Theft → Looting: Misdemeanor with mandatory jail (no OR release)
• Commercial Burglary → Looting: Felony — 16 months to 3 years
• Residential Burglary → Looting: Felony — 2 to 6 years
• Bail: Often denied or set very high during emergency periods

Attempted Theft, Attempted Burglary & Attempted Robbery

Trying to steal something and failing is still a crime in Baldwin Park, CA. For it to be considered an attempt, the prosecution needs to prove two things: (1) the specific intent to commit the crime, and (2) a tangible step is taken towards breaking the law — even if the attempt failed or was interrupted.

The general rule is that attempted crimes are punished at half the sentence of the completed offense. So while residential burglary carries a prison sentence of 2, 4, or 6 years, attempted residential burglary would only carry a sentence of 1, 2, or 3 years. However, this is still a serious criminal conviction with lasting consequences.

California's Three Strikes law doesn't provide any leeway if someone attempted to commit a crime unsuccessfully — robbery attempts and burglary attempts are still strikes, whether or not they were successful. Our theft crime lawyers will fight against these charges to create reasonable doubt and position us for favorable negotiations.

Regardless of what charge you're facing, when you call us, you can talk to an expert theft crimes lawyer in Baldwin Park, CA, who has the training and experience needed to find a path forward. As a team, we will craft a staunch defense against the allegations.

Facing Theft Allegations? These Are Your Next Steps

Being charged with theft can be intimidating. The Baldwin Park, CA, government is after you, not everyone will believe your side of the story, and you need to defend your reputation as well as your innocence. Trying to handle it yourself, it can seem impossible.

But you have an ally. You have the Law Offices of David S. Chesley on your side. With one of our Baldwin Park, CA, theft crimes lawyers on your case, you'll get honest, personalized legal advice on how to achieve the best outcome possible. To get started, use the five steps below to protect your freedom and avoid common pitfalls:

1. Comply With the Police

Mistakes here can hurt your case. If you're being arrested, don't resist. Respectfully complying with the police officers will make the process go smoother. Resisting can only get you into more trouble.

2. Keep Calm and Don't Talk

There's a chance you'll be interviewed or interrogated – don't talk. In fact, don't even talk on the ride to the station. Anything you say can be used as evidence against you, and if anything you say is untruthful, you can be accused of perjury.

3. Call a Baldwin Park, CA, Theft Crimes Defense Attorney ASAP

In California, people who have been arrested are given three phone calls. One of these should be to your theft crimes lawyer. Acting fast is important to protect your freedom. We are available at (800) 755-5174, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4. Secure Bail for Release

Your lawyer can help argue for your release at a bail hearing. Our firm's theft crimes defense attorneys will fight for your pre-trial release and lower bail requirements. Your rights and freedom matter, no matter what you've been accused of.

5. Coordinate With Your Attorney to Create a Defense Strategy

This is perhaps the most important step: building a defense against the charges. An accomplished theft crimes lawyer in Baldwin Park, CA, will hear your side of the story, negotiate for deals with the prosecution, and fight for a dismissal whenever possible.

Powerful Defense Strategies for Theft Charges

Your case is unique — and your defense strategy needs to be customized to the specific facts, proof, and allegations. Below, you can read about some of the popular ways we will fight theft cases in Baldwin Park, CA.

Lack of Intent / Claim of Right Defense in Theft Cases

Lack of intent is a common criminal defense strategy, and is particularly applicable in theft cases. Your mindset is key to this defense. Unintentionally taking another person's goods does not qualify as theft, generally. Where that intent cannot be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, no theft conviction can stand regardless of the circumstances of the taking.

Claim of right is a related defense — if the accused didn't know that they were stealing a piece of property because they thought that they had permission to take it, they would lack the intent needed for a conviction. If you genuinely believed you had the right to take the property — even if that belief was mistaken — it negates the criminal intent required for a theft conviction. Additional intent-based defenses include: mistake of fact (the accused took the wrong item believing it to be their own); voluntary intoxication (which may negate specific intent in limited circumstances); and absence of permanence (the defendant intended to return the property, which may reduce or eliminate a grand theft charge even if another theft offense still applies).

Key point: This is a major hurdle for the prosecution in any theft case. This isn't merely a backup plan. This is a key part of nearly all theft defenses, especially in cases involving disputes over ownership, employer-employee disagreements, family property conflicts, or transactions gone wrong.

Defense Application:

• Grand Theft: Negates specific intent to permanently deprive
• Embezzlement: Challenges the fraudulent conversion element
• Fraud / False Pretenses: Can apply when the defendant didn't know that what they were saying was false
• Receiving Stolen Property: Challenges knowledge that property was stolen

Illegal Search & Seizure in Theft/Burglary Cases

If police searched your car, home, or person without a valid warrant or legal justification, you may have been the victim of an illegal search and/or seizure. In many criminal cases, the Baldwin Park, CA, police department will gather evidence through searches. If the investigators violated constitutional requirements, the evidence can be suppressed and the state may be unable to proceed.

Here are some of the reasons that evidence is thrown out in theft cases: warrantless searches of vehicles, homes, or persons without valid legal justification; searches resulting from a warrant that was based on false information; arrests without probable cause leading to an invalid search at the time of the arrest; GPS tracking or digital surveillance conducted without appropriate legal authority; and searches that exceeded the scope of a legal warrant. California Penal Code § 1538.5 gives defendants a statutory right to move to suppress evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment — suppression of unlawfully abstained evidence motions can destroy the prosecution's argument, leading to dropped or dismissed charges.

If this applies to your case, it can be a major win for your defense. Even partial suppression — in cases where a subset of the evidence against the defendant is suppressed — can make a big difference. Suppression motions are fully litigated in Baldwin Park, CA, courts, and are a standard component of aggressive defense in all property crime cases.

Suppression Scenarios:

• Warrantless Home Entry: Except in special circumstances, if evidence was taken from your home without a warrant, it can be thrown out
• Vehicle Searches: Require a warrant, permission, or a recognized exception such as probable cause
• Digital Evidence / Cell Phones: Require a warrant under Riley v. California (2014)
• Fruit of the Poisonous Tree: If illegally obtained evidence leads to future evidence that was legally obtained, it's possible that all of it can be thrown out

False Accusation / Misidentification

The Baldwin Park, CA, investigators and prosecution aren't perfect: Sometimes, they get the wrong guy. False accusations can arise from personal disputes, misidentification by witnesses, mistaken assumptions about ownership, ambiguous surveillance footage, or false accusations coming from a person who wants to cause you harm. Even if you're innocent, you're still at risk of going to prison for something you didn't do — aggressive and immediate defense is essential from the moment of accusation.

False accusations in Baldwin Park, CA, often aren't the result of malice, but of a witness making an error. In theft, robbery, and burglary cases, the high intensity of the circumstances can lead to witnesses not remembering details clearly — particularly across racial lines, if they didn't have a clear sightline, or when the perpetrator was briefly seen. Even if the witness is sure, they could be mistaken. California courts have increasingly recognized this science, and jury instructions now require courts to instruct juries on the inherent limitations of eyewitness identification evidence.

Defense strategies in false accusation cases include: establishing an alibi with corroborating witnesses, records, or surveillance footage; showing issues with how eyewitness identifications were obtained; attacking the character of the accuser; presenting expert testimony on the science of human memory and eyewitness reliability; and demonstrating inconsistencies between witness statements made at different points in time.

If you are falsely accused: Do not confront witnesses, do not try to build your defense on your own, and do not talk to the police without your theft crimes lawyer present. You might make a mistake, or the police might misinterpret something you say. Whatever your circumstances, if you're facing theft charges, call our lawyers now for help.

Lack of Knowledge — For receiving stolen property and possession of a stolen vehicle, the Baldwin Park, CA, prosecutor must prove you knew the property was obtained through theft. We challenge this element aggressively — many people unknowingly purchase stolen goods with no way to verify their origin.

Consent / Permission — Theft requires that property be taken without the owner's consent. If you had permission to be in a location or to take an item — even if that permission was informal or later disputed — this is a complete defense to theft and burglary charges.

Constitutional Violations — Beyond the 4th amendment, we will thoroughly review your case to see if the state violated your rights in the course of the investigation. If they did, we will argue for the evidence to be thrown out and/or for the case to be dismissed.

Sentencing Alternatives — For many offenders with no prior offenses, California offers sentencing alternatives that can keep you out of prison by participating. This is often a favorable outcome for our clients that we will fight to secure.

Contesting the Value of Property — If you're up against grand theft charges, but the supposedly stolen property didn't reach the $950 value threshold, we will fight to have the charges reduced. We challenge inflated or unsupported property valuations, which can dramatically reduce the charges you face.

Theft Crime Expungement / Record Clearance — California Penal Code § 1203.4

Whatever your past is, you have a future. And we want to help you make the most of it. Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, as long as you've finished probation, you can ask for a guilty or no contest plea to be removed — a process commonly called an expungement. To be eligible, the defendant generally must have: successfully completed all terms of probation, such as paying fines and restitution; not have any pending criminal charges against you; and — in a newly added requirement — in several cases, must not have served time in state prison (though SB 731 and related reforms have expanded relief options for some state prison cases).

If you were not given probation, there are still options for you — Penal Code § 1203.4a provides another form of conviction relief. Arguably, the best cases are those which were dismissed without any form of conviction. In these cases, instead of expunging the conviction, the arrest record can be sealed.

Here are some of the advantages of getting your theft conviction expunged: Of note, you won't have to note any convictions on private job applications. That said, the criminal record isn't entirely thrown away by expungement — it does not restore firearm rights, does not prevent the conviction from being used in subsequent criminal proceedings, and doesn't restore health care or other professional licenses. Senate Bill 731 (effective July 1, 2023) even automates part of the expungement process in some cases, if there haven't been any subsequent criminal cases.

Important: Expungement under § 1203.4 does not seal the record from law enforcement, licensing boards, or subsequent criminal proceedings. If your goal is for the record to be totally inaccessible, to be able to legally own a gun again, or clearing a prior strike, you'll have to look into other ways to have your record sealed. By talking to a theft conviction expungement attorney, you get help with exploring what other possibilities could help in your situation.

Relief Options:

• PC § 1203.4: Charges dismissed after successful probation completion
• PC § 1203.4a: Relief for misdemeanors without probation (available 1 year after the conviction)
• PC § 851.91: Seal records of arrests which did not end in a conviction
• SB 731 (2023): Automatic relief for qualifying non-violent felony convictions
• Limitations: Still restricted from owning guns, and the police can still review these records

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Frequently Asked Questions About Theft Charges in Baldwin Park, CA

What's the difference between petty theft and grand theft in Baldwin Park, California?


The primary distinction is the value of the property allegedly taken. Property valued at $950 or less results in petty theft charges (usually a misdemeanor). Grand theft is usually the result of thefts over $950, but can also be triggered in special circumstances (such as if the supposedly stolen item was a gun or a car). Grand theft can either be a misdemeanor or a felony. Grand theft charges will require elite legal representation in particular, though you will always need a theft crimes lawyer to defend you, regardless of the specifics.

Does California allow me to expunge my record from a theft crime?


Frequently, yes. For probation sentences, expungement is often offered conditionally upon your completion. Expungement removes the conviction from your public record and allows you to truthfully say you have not been convicted of that crime in most circumstances. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to help you expunge your record, whatever the circumstances of your conviction.

What happens if I'm charged with shoplifting for the first time in Baldwin Park, CA?


While this is still serious, you don't need to panic just yet — you will probably only face misdemeanor charges. Many first-time offenders are eligible for diversion programs that can result in a dismissal upon completing community service or a theft prevention course. Working with a criminal defense lawyer can make a major difference and help you with avoiding a conviction and protecting your record.

I didn't know the property was stolen. Can I still be convicted?


If the charge you are facing is one of receiving stolen property, as a part of securing a conviction the prosecution needs to prove that you knew (or should have known) that the property was stolen. If you honestly didn't know and had no reasonable basis to suspect it, you can build the foundation of your defense upon that fact. This is a strategy we frequently lean on in receiving stolen property cases. However, circumstances like an unusually low price or lack of receipts can lessen the strength of your defense, making it imperative that you hire a skillful theft crimes lawyer.

How serious is a grand theft auto charge in Baldwin Park, CA?


Very serious. You can expect your grand theft auto case to be charged as a felony, with increased penalties. If you have any prior convictions, you could be up against increased sentences. Call one of our attorneys right away at (800) 755-5174.

What is a "wobbler" offense in California?


A wobbler is an offense that can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and the prosecutor's discretion. Several theft-related offenses — including grand theft, commercial burglary, receiving stolen property, and forgery — are wobblers. One of the most important things a theft crimes attorney can do is push for misdemeanor treatment of wobbler charges, which dramatically reduces potential consequences.

Will I go to jail for a theft charge?


Not necessarily. Many theft cases — especially misdemeanors and first offenses — can be resolved without jail time through diversion programs, probation, community service, or fines. While felony charges can be harder to avoid prison for, it is still possible in some cases. The answer depends heavily on your specific charge, criminal history, and the quality of your legal representation. Contact us to review what options you have.

Can I be charged with burglary if I didn't steal anything?


Unfortunately, yes. California defines burglary as entering a structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony inside. Whether you stole something or not is irrelevant — the prosecution's goal is to show that you trespassed and had that event. As a result, intent evidence — and arguments surrounding it — is critical to burglary defense.

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Looking for a Baldwin Park, CA, Theft Lawyer? Contact Our Team to Protect Your Rights.

Without a theft crimes lawyer, it's easy to make mistakes that put you at a disadvantage. Our lawyers are equipped to defend you — no matter when you need us. Contact us now for a free, confidential case review.

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