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Theft Lawyer Fontana, CA. There are few things tougher than facing the Fontana prosecutor alone. You might even be facing multiple theft charges at once. Without help, it's easy to find yourself in a spot where you feel hopeless.

Even when you're up against the toughest battle of your life, don't give up yet. You have a team who will defend your freedom: The Law Offices of David S. Chesley. Our lawyers have extensive experience defending clients against all manner of theft crime charges. With a Fontana, CA, theft crimes lawyer from our team at your side, you can rest assured that you're getting expert legal representation.

Discuss your case with a theft crimes lawyer today at (800) 755-5174 or connect with us online for a private review of your case at no cost. Delays can cost you your freedom, and we're ready to fight for you today.

Why You Need a Leading Fontana, CA, Theft Defense Lawyer

Theft charges need to be treated seriously, no matter what the specifics are. On your own, you're stuck trying to figure out a complicated legal system and increase your risk of the following penalties:

1. Prison Sentence: Fontana, 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: Having a criminal record can negatively affect your future career goals.
4. Reputational Damage: Regardless of the facts and circumstances surrounding your case, some people will only look at the conviction.
5. And more.

A Fontana, CA, theft crimes lawyer can protect your rights and fight against these outcomes. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is ready to help. Look at what makes us the right attorneys for the job:

Why You Should Hire Our Fontana, CA Theft Defense Lawyers

Picking the right Fontana, CA theft crimes defense lawyer can make all the difference for your case. Here's what set us apart — and why it matters for your theft case:

• Former District Attorneys & Judges — We know exactly how the state builds a theft case because some of our attorneys have done it themselves. We use that inside knowledge to dismantle the prosecution's strategy.
• Deep Court Relationships — Decades of practice in Fontana, CA, courts means we know the judges, the prosecutors, and the local procedures — and we leverage that for better outcomes for every client.
• Defenses Built for Trial — We prepare every case as if it's going to trial. Even if your case doesn't end up in trial, this gives us more leverage for negotiations.
• Expungement Services — We don't leave you behind after the verdict. You deserve to move forward with your life, and we can help you do it.
• Terrific Reputation – We deliver results, and are known for doing so.
• Available 24/7 — Our team is available whenever you need us most. If you need help or an update, you can get a hold of us, whenever it is.
• Completely Private — Attorney-client privilege protects you, whatever you tell us about your case. You can tell us everything, and we will respect your story while crafting your defense.

Theft Charges We Will Fight in Fontana, CA

Use the links below to navigate directly to a full breakdown of the law, penalties, and more.

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

Fontana, CA, Theft Allegations We Defend Against

At the Law Offices of David S. Chesley, we're experienced in defending against charges of theft. If you're looking for a theft crimes lawyer in Fontana, CA, don't wait: contact us right away for a no obligation review of your case.

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

Petty Theft Charges vs Grand Theft Charges

While there are many different theft case types in Fontana, CA, odds are high you're facing one of these two: Petty theft and grand theft. At a basic level, these are almost the same act: taking someone else's money or items without permission. The distinguishing factor is how much value was allegedly stolen: For values $950 and under, the classification will generally be petty theft, while any more will typically be grand theft.

Fighting petty theft allegations is typically more straightforward, as they are often (but not always) charged as misdemeanors. However, fighting grand theft charges is usually more challenging because it is more frequently charged as a felony. Whichever type of charge you're facing, a skillful theft crimes lawyer can help you minimize penalties.

Here's a breakdown of what distinguishes petty and grand theft:

Shoplifting — Proposition 47 / Penal Code § 459.5

Shoplifting used to be a type of commercial burglary, rather than its own offense. This changed after California passed Proposition 47 in 2014. Shoplifting is defined as entering a business during normal business hours with the intent to steal merchandise valued at $950 or less.

Before Prop 47, what we now call "shoplifting" was prosecuted as burglary — a felony. Since 2014, most shoplifting charges are misdemeanors. Keep in mind, though, that repeat offenders, organized retail theft, or amounts over $950 can still result in felony charges. Regardless of what level of charge you're facing, a local Fontana, 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 an elevated form of shoplifting that has been a recent focus in California, and is often charged as a felony.

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

Defensive strategies include: No intention to steal, wrong identity, 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

Don't underestimate a petty theft charge — it can become a felony under Penal Code § 666 if charged as a petty theft with a prior. Fontana, CA prosecutors can use this law against you to turn even a small-time theft allegation into a wobbler — meaning that you could be facing years in prison.

If you're facing petty theft with a prior allegations, the state must establish: (1) the defendant is guilty of petty theft; and (2) the defendant has a criminal record including at least one of a set list of previous offenses (mostly including theft crimes, but also some sex crimes) — especially if the sentence included incarceration. Proposition 47 (2014) significantly narrowed the statute's reach, but did not eliminate it. While most of the applicable prior convictions are theft related, they also include some sexual and violent crimes.

Potential 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 Fontana, CA

We will fight against all sorts of vehicle theft crimes in Fontana, CA. One of the ones people commonly think of is grand theft auto, but that's technically not a unique charge. Grand theft auto is defined in a subsection of California's 'grand theft' law, which makes the theft of a vehicle always 'grand theft,' even if it was under $950 in value.

Grand theft auto charges are usually used when the defendant allegedly didn't intend to return the vehicle. If the alleged offender wasn't going to keep it, they're probably going to be charged with joyriding. While either joyriding or grand theft auto can be 'wobbler' offenses, in Fontana, 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. Just like receiving stolen property, you can be convicted even if you didn't take an active part in the theft. Simply owning or having the car or truck can get you arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle.

When you contact our law firm, you'll partner with a vehicle theft crimes lawyer who knows the ins and outs of each offense type, how to fight against them, and what deals are realistic. Reach out now to start building your defense.

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

Grand theft auto is not a standalone California crime — instead, it is a subset of the general "grand theft" statute, which says that any automobile theft is considered grand theft. The law doesn't even specify if the vehicle needs to be working — stealing a nearly worthless broken down car would still qualify as grand theft.

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).

Potential Penalties:

• Charge Type: Wobbler (usually felony in Fontana, CA)
• Felony Prison: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years
• Misdemeanor Jail: 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. This law is relevant any time someone allegedly drives a vehicle without permission.

This charge is popular in Fontana, CA, courts as either a plea deal or as its own charge.

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. Despite the casual name, this is a serious criminal offense that is treated as a wobbler in California — it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

It's typical for joyriding to be treated as a misdemeanor in Fontana, CA. That said, prior criminal history or aggravating circumstances can push it to a felony.

Carjacking — California Penal Code § 215

Carjacking is one of the most serious vehicle-related charges in California. The key element of carjacking is how the vehicle was allegedly stolen — if force or fear was used, the Fontana, CA prosecutor is likely going to pick carjacking over another offense. Because this action involves violence, carjacking is always a felony and is often ineligible for probation.

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, PC § 496d still applies, regardless of your involvement in its theft.

This charge frequently catches people who buy vehicles through informal channels, accept a vehicle as a gift, or borrow a car without fully investigating its ownership history. The prosecution must prove you had knowledge the vehicle was stolen — a skillful vehicle theft crimes lawyer may use a strategy that raises doubts as to your knowledge.

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 Fontana, CA

White collar crimes in Fontana, CA, vary widely in context and action, but all of them share a common trait: misusing professional power for financial gain.

Most white collar crimes are non-violent, and even non-physical, forms of theft. Embezzlement is when one person steals money that they were in charge of, but was not their own. Money laundering an attempt to hide illegal money as legal income. For example, if someone made money from a drug deal, then pretended to have another person pay them for a job, that would be money laundering. Meanwhile, bribery is about illegal gifts done for a favor or another benefit. An example of this would be an employee giving money to their boss in exchange for a promotion.

Not all white-collar crimes involve financial exchanges, though (at least not directly). Forgery can be as simple as signing another person's signature without permission, and identity theft is the taking of someone's personal information. In both forgery and identity theft cases, you don't need to have stolen someone else's money to be found guilty.

Embezzlement, Identity Theft, Fraud & More

Despite there being no physical harm involved, white collar charges are treated harshly by the law — incarceration, financial penalties, major career setbacks, and permanent reputational damage. If you want to fight back against these consequences, you need a financial theft crimes lawyer who knows the ins and outs of California white collar crime law.

White Collar Crimes — Overview

Individual "white collar crimes" can look very different from each other. What unites these offenses is the element of deceit, breach of trust, or abuse of a professional for personal benefit. Fontana, CA, because of its proximity to major financial and entertainment centers, sees some of California's most complex white collar prosecutions.

In contrast to other crime categories (like DUIs, where police may cite you immediately at a checkpoint), state investigators can spend a long time building a case before you are formally accused. If the police have reached out to you for questioning, don't talk to them alone. An attorney is essential as soon as you find out you're under investigation. In some cases, we can intervene early and prevent charges from even being filed.

Embezzlement — California Penal Code § 503

Embezzlement is when someone legally can use property for certain purposes, but uses it for different ones. The main feature is the pre-existing legal access — alleged embezzlement offenders had honest ways to access the supposedly stolen or misused goods.

Frequent embezzlement scenarios: An accountant siphoning company funds; a payroll professional creating fake employees and taking their salaries; an employee overcharging customers and keeping the difference; A cashier voiding out a transaction but keeping the money; a charity collector taking cash donations while leaving other types alone.

Possible Penalties:

• Under $950: Misdemeanor — up to 6 months jail
• Over $950: Felony — up to 3 years prison
• High Amounts: Enhanced sentences up to 10+ years
• Additional: Financial recompensation, employment restrictions

Money Laundering — California Penal Code § 186.10

Money laundering is the process of making illegally obtained money appear to have come from a legitimate source. It usually consists of three steps: placement (introducing dirty money into the financial system), layering (in an attempt to confuse future investigators, the money is shifted through complicated financial trades and transfers), and integration (making the funds appear legitimate).

California's money laundering law specifically targets transactions of more than $5,000 that involved illegally obtained funds, so long as the person involved knew they were illegal. Federal money laundering charges (18 U.S.C. § 1956) can also apply, which tends to have much harsher penalties.

Potential Penalties (State):

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

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

You can face bribery charges for offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something of value in exchange for influencing the actions of people in certain positions of power. California law targets multiple forms of bribery — that of elected officials, judges, lawmakers, business executives, witnesses, and even private commercial bribery. Whatever form of bribery you've been accused of, a Fontana, CA, theft crimes lawyer is important to give you insights into successful defense strategies.

Who can face bribery charges? Both the person offering the bribe and the person accepting it can be charged in Fontana, CA. Even an attempt to bribe can result in criminal charges, regardless of whether the other party accepts.

Potential 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

Fontana, CA, forgery charges don't directly involve theft, but instead the creation or modification of a document in order to aid with a future fraud attempt. California's forgery statute is broad and covers checks, receipts, contracts, deeds, power of attorney documents, warrants, prescriptions, lottery tickets, and many other types of written instruments.

Critical point: The forgery charges are independent of any related fraud charges, so anyone can be charged even if they didn't use the forged item. The intent to defraud, combined with the act of creating or using the fake document, is enough 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 Fontana, 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 — to perform a restricted activity, such as obtaining credit, goods, services, or medical information.

What if it didn't affect them financially? You can be found guilty even if the alleged victim didn't lose any money. Simply taking and using someone's information without permission is enough to warrant a crime under California law. Because of this, you need to hire an expert theft crimes lawyer regardless of the details of your case.

Fontana, CA, identity theft allegations are very serious, and often involve federal charges when conducted online, across state lines, or at scale.

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 Fight in Fontana, CA

Fraud encompasses a variety of specific theft types in Fontana, CA. Broadly speaking, someone who commits theft by misrepresenting themselves or a situation in order to get another person to give away money voluntarily can be convicted of fraud. Theft by false pretenses is is one of the more common version of fraud.

Insurance fraud is one of the most common types of fraud. It involves lying to an insurance company to collect more money than they are supposed to. As an example, a person who intentionally burns down their house then tells the insurance company that it was an accident commits insurance fraud.

A similar fraud charge is welfare fraud, where someone takes advantage of government assistance programs by providing false information to them. An example of this would be claiming a child as a dependent to receive financial support, when the child has in fact moved out.

Another common form is credit card fraud. This type of fraud involves dishonesty about the credit card and/or how it was acquired. If you allegedly took a credit card and used it without permission, you can face credit card fraud charges.

Because fraud cases can vary so much from each other, having a theft crimes lawyer with experience in all these areas is essential.

Different Kinds of Fraud, False Pretenses & Financial Deception

There are many types of fraud allegations in Fontana, CA — 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

Many "fraud" charges in Fontana fall under California's 'theft by false pretenses' law. This is when a person lies to someone else, leading to the second person willingly giving away goods or services. Theft by false pretenses is distinct because the supposed victim intentionally parts with their valuables, as opposed to robbery, where they are taken by force.

Common examples: Selling a product that doesn't exist; misrepresenting credentials to get paid for work; creating fake invoices; lying about the condition of goods sold.

If you're facing theft by false pretenses charges, it could be either a misdemeanor or a felony. The level depends on the how much was stolen — if the total value was more than $950, you are likely looking at grand theft (and possible felony) charges.

Insurance Fraud — California Penal Code § 550

You can face insurance fraud charges for making untruthful statements in reports to your insurance agency, so that they will provide you with a benefit you are not supposed to receive. The Fontana, CA, prosecution takes insurance fraud extremely seriously, and the state has a dedicated Insurance Fraud Division that actively investigates these cases. A leading theft crimes lawyer will protect your rights and negotiation with the prosecutor 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; arson for insurance proceeds; fabricating injuries; double billing for a health service.

Possible Penalties:

• Felony Prison: 2, 3, or 5 years
• Fines: Up to $150,000 or double the fraud amount
• Restitution: Give the amount defrauded back to the alleged victim
• Additional: License revocation for professionals

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

You can face credit card fraud charges in Fontana, CA, for a variety of actions done with a credit or debit card. You could be accused of using another individual's card without authorization, using a card that has been stolen or counterfeited, charging to an account when you don't have the card, or illegally taking or selling card account information.

Regarding 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. Federal penalties are significantly more severe, and our team of theft crime lawyers has experience handling both state and federal fraud cases.

Potential 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; continuing to collect benefits after a qualifying event ends your eligibility.

These crimes often have special investigation teams that target alleged offenders. If convicted, you could be looking at years in prison and serious financial consequences. A premier Fontana, CA, theft crimes lawyer can push back against the prosecution's case and greatly improve your case's outlook.

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: Lose your right to receive benefits in the future

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, the recipient must have a terminal prognosis of six months or less to live if the illness runs its normal course — 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 Fontana, CA, meaning you're up against very difficult odds.

Critical Note: 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. Providers are often unaware that an investigation is underway until a search warrant is executed.

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)
• Extra: Exclusion from Medicare/Medi-Cal programs; license revocation

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

Medicare fraud charges vary in scope, but all consist of attempts to defraud the government's Medicare program in one form or another. In Fontana, 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. Medicare fraud investigations are especially tricky to detect, because they often involve datasets rather than on-the-ground investigators. This means that the first warning sign that you're being investigated can come too late to clear things up.

Important: It's possible to be accused of Medicare fraud even when all forms of medical care were honest and legitimate. This can occur if a provider offers money to someone in exchange for accessing Medicare-sponsored services through that provider. Providers and referrers are both at risk of prosecution under these circumstances.

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: Loss of eligibility for all federal health care programs

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

Health care fraud under federal law is defined as knowingly and willfully executing — or attempting to execute — a scheme to defraud any health care benefit program, or to obtain money or property from a health care benefit program by means of false or fraudulent pretenses. Critically, the statute applies to all health benefit programs, not just Medicare and Medicaid — including private commercial insurers.

You can face federal charges in some cases, but it's more common for these to be state charges. California law 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 Fontana, CA, as they often involve extensive medical records and expert testimony/analysis. Doctors, billing organizations, office managers, and support staff have all faced prosecution depending on their level of involvement.

Potential 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 home health aide services. To qualify for Medicare reimbursement, the care recipient must be homebound and require skilled care. Because of the particulars of the definition, these cases can vary wildly from one another.

A patient could be accused of this if they had a less serious condition, but claimed it was more dire, in order to receive in-home assistance. Meanwhile, a provider could be charged if a health service team member performs unneeded medical services in order to drive up bills. Home health fraud charges in Fontana, CA, are taken very seriously, and you need a theft defense lawyer who's ready to give your case the attention it deserves. Owners, administrators, therapists, and referring physicians have all been prosecuted.

Important: The United States' Stark Law makes it a crime for a doctor to refer a medicare patient to a home health company, if the doctor makes money from that company. 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.

Potential 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 Fontana, CA

Depending on the circumstances of your case, you could be facing both theft charges and violent crime charges in Fontana, 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. Versus burglary, where the alleged victim is not present during the act. Carjacking is similar to this—it involves the forceful taking of a vehicle, as opposed to grand theft auto which does not require violence or threats.

There is another way violence and theft crimes can overlap, though: when an initially nonviolent theft collides with a person. 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 is a unique form of theft. If someone says they will hurt another person unless the alleged victim gives them money, that is extortion. The alleged offender doesn't necessarily need to threaten physical violence, but the threat should be to harm the alleged victim in some form or fashion. For example, if one person had a compromising photo of another and threatened to release it if not given money, that would be extortion.

Robbery, Extortion & Force-Related Theft

Many theft crimes we outlined above do not involve violence. For charges that do, though, it's common to see much harsher sentencing. These charges are always felonies and often carry strike designations. Your Fontana, 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

Many people confuse burglary and robbery, but they are actually very different crimes. Burglary generally occurs while the alleged victim is away, while in robbery cases, the supposed offender takes something from the alleged victim personally. Being convicted of robbery will likely result in a prison sentence as well as a strike.

Your robbery charge in Fontana, CA, could either be first-degree or second-degree. These are differentiated based on the location and the alleged victim. First-degree robbery is charged in cases where the alleged robbery occurred in someone's dwelling place, against the passenger or driver of a taxi/rideshare vehicle, or while the supposed victim was at an ATM.

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

A person can be convicted of extortion if they coerce someone using threats, rather than force. The goal of extortion is normally to acquire some sort of benefit, either financial or through an action of the victim. The threat does not have to be of physical violence; threatening to reveal embarrassing or damaging information is sufficient.

Common examples: Threatening to falsely accuse someone of theft unless the property is given up; 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 Fontana, 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 break a different law. Ordinarily, this is a structure, like a storefront (in which case it would be commercial burglary), but not always. For example, if you supposedly smashed a car window to steal a wallet sitting on the seat, that would fall under 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, defenses to burglary charges can hinge on whether or not you had permission to be in the structure, and what your intentions were while you were there.

Burglary Related Charges

Shoplifting also involves the theft of items from a store, similar to commercial burglary. Prior to 2014, what is now classified as shoplifting would be considered burglary in California. However, as we discussed above a new law Proposition 47 (officially the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act), a ballot initiative passed by California voters on November 4, 2014 that distinguishes shoplifting as specifically attempting to steal merchandise from a business during regular business hours. The differences in charges had a major impact for several offenses and penalties. Today, shoplifting is no longer a subset of burglary offenses in Fontana, CA, and faces more lenient penalties if convicted.

Another related charge is vandalism. California defines vandalism and the intentional harming of someone else's property with permission, such as by kicking in a door to burglarize someone's home. It's common to face burglary and vandalism charges together in Fontana, CA, making it all the more important to get a top quality theft crimes lawyer to protect your rights.

Finally, you can face theft charges in Fontana, CA, even if you didn't steal anything yourself. What can lead to this? Receiving stolen property charges. This applies when someone supposedly buys, hides, or receives something that they know was taken unlawfully from another person.

Burglary, Home Invasion & Related Charges

California burglary law is broader than most people realize — these charges apply when someone tresspasses on a property while planning to break the law, though it doesn't have to be a theft law specifically.

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

First-degree burglary involves entering an inhabited dwelling — someone's home, apartment, or any place where people live — for the purpose of committing a theft or any felony inside. This means that you can be found guilty even without actually committing theft. The intent at the moment of entry is the key to burglary charges.

Residential burglary is always a felony and is considered a "strike" offense. This is one of the most serious theft-adjacent charges in California law, and Fontana, CA courts are likely to give you a long sentence. Without the right theft crimes defense lawyer, you're fighting an uphill battle

Possible Penalties:

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

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

Second-degree burglary covers entering any non-residential structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony — stores, offices, warehouses, garages, and other commercial buildings. This charge is considered a wobbler and could be either a misdemeanor or a felony.

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.

Possible 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. This charge commonly arises when someone smashes a car window to take items left inside. 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.

Important note: Taking something out of an open vehicle, although it would still be stealing, would not qualify for a burglary charge. This is still against the law, 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. This is treated as one of the gravest offenses in the California penal code, and prosecutors pursue maximum penalties. If you're up against these charges, it's not good enough to settle for second-best — you need a leading theft crimes lawyer on your side.

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 a law firm with a track record of success, and you need them right away.

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

These offenses are frequently charged alongside primary theft crimes and can significantly compound the penalties you face. Understanding how they interact is critical to building an effective defense.

Receiving Stolen Property — California Penal Code § 496

You don't have to steal something to face theft-related criminal charges. Buying, selling, or disguising something that was stolen can lead to these charges.

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 that are cheaply listed, without knowing their full history, or from unknown sellers, does not prove that you were aware the items were stolen.

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 charges are about more than just graffiti; if Fontana, CA, you can be accused of vandalism for damaging someone else's property. This relates to theft if you allegedly caused property damage in the process of stealing something (for example, kicking in the door).

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.

Possible Penalties:

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

Trespassing — California Penal Code § 602

Trespassing involves entering or remaining on another person's property without permission. Tresspassing is often charged alongside burglary, because the latter also involves entering a location without permission.

On its own, trespassing is ordinarilly charged as a misdemeanor or infraction. However, Fontana, CA, prosecutors can also use it as a part of a case for more serious charges. Fighting these charges is often a matter of whether or not the alleged offender did in fact have permission or the right to be there.

Perjury — California Penal Code § 118

Perjury is making a false statement under oath, knowing it is false, in a legal proceeding or official document. While not a theft crime per se, perjury frequently arises in theft cases — for example, making false statements to police, lying in a court declaration, or providing false testimony at trial.

Do not make this mistake: Speaking to the police at all is a risk, and it's even worse if you lie to them. By keeping a theft crimes lawyer on hand, you can avoid perjury charges and build a strong defense.

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)

Under California Penal Code § 487(d)(2), theft of a firearm is always grand theft — regardless of the weapon's monetary value. Due to this the theft of even a nearly worthless firearm results in 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.

Federal firearms theft charges may also apply. The potential dual nature of these charges multiplies the complexity. And it's even more essential to have an attorney with the skills to fight for you at all levels.

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

If the alleged victim was 65 or older, you might be up against elevated penalties. 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 Fontana, CA, does not take these charges lightly and usually pursues harsh penalties. Prison sentences can be increased even further if the alleged victim was 70 years or older. In addition to the legal penalties, you could also face a civil suit, and Adult Protective Services involvement only makes things more complex.

Common scenarios: Caregiver taking money from a client's account; family member using power of attorney to take money; contractor overcharging vulnerable seniors; phising emails that impersonate loved ones.

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

Disasters can be a time of panic. If, during the confusion, someone attempts to get away with theft, they may face looting charges. California Penal Code § 463 treats looting as an aggravated form of the underlying theft or burglary offense, with mandatory enhanced penalties.

If the enhanced penalties weren't enough on their own, the Fontana, CA, prosecuting attorney is likely going to go the extra mile for looting whenever possible. Looting is considered a way of taking advantage of Fontana while it's at its most vulnerable, and judges are never pleased by this. 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 Fontana, CA. Attempted theft, burglary, or robbery in California needs to include: (1) a mental state of deliberate criminal activity, and (2) some form of action that furthers the criminal ends — regardless of whether it was successful or not.

The general rule is that attempted crimes are punished at half the sentence of the completed offense. So attempted robbery carries half the prison exposure of robbery. However, this is still a serious criminal conviction with lasting consequences.

Even though they are not successful, attempted robbery and attempted burglary can still leave a strike on your criminal record. Our theft crime lawyers will fight against these charges to create reasonable doubt and position us for favorable negotiations.

For any of the charges above, or more, when you reach out to us, you can speak with an expert theft crimes lawyer in Fontana, CA, who will help you break down and navigate the charges. As a team, we will defend your rights and your freedom.

Steps to Take When Accused of Theft

You need to take these accusations seriously. The Fontana, CA, government is after you, the alleged victim is accusing you, and the collateral consequences could be devastating. Without help, it can seem impossible.

But you have another option. You have the Law Offices of David S. Chesley on your side. With one of our Fontana, CA, theft crimes lawyers on your case, you'll get honest, personalized legal advice on how to achieve the best outcome possible. Here are the steps we recommend taking:

1. Obey the Arresting Officer's Instructions

While it's reasonable to feel angry about being arrested, don't resist. If you act civilly, it will make things go faster and easier. Resisting can only get you into more trouble.

2. Act Calm and Don't Talk

You may be questioned by the police – invoke your right to remain silent. Simply say "I decline to answer any questions and am invoking my right to an attorney." Your answers can later be used as evidence in the case, and you say something untruthful, you can be charged with perjury.

3. Contact a Fontana, CA, Theft Crimes Defense Attorney Right Away

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. You can reach us at (800) 755-5174, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4. Secure Bail for Release

Before you can leave the jail, you'll probably have to go through a bail hearing. Our theft crimes defense attorneys will fight for your pre-trial release and lower bail requirements. You are innocent until proven guilty, and should enjoy your freedom while your case proceeds.

5. Cooperate With Your Lawyer to Make a Personalized Defense

With the right attorney by your side, it's time to create a strategy to fight the charges. An expert theft crimes lawyer in Fontana, CA, will listen to your story, negotiate with the state, and fight for a dismissal wherever possible.

Theft Lawyer Defensive Strategies

As expert theft crime attorneys, we know that each case's defense strategy must be customized to the specific details, proof, and allegations. Here are the major defense approaches our attorneys use to fight theft charges in Fontana, 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.

A related defense is the "claim of right" defense, where someone states that they believed they were allowed to take the property. This applies as long as they honestly believed they were allowed to, even if they were incorrect. If a defendant sincerely believed the property was theirs, owed to them as payment, or that they had permission to take it, this can negate the required criminal intent. The belief does not have to be correct; it only has to be genuine. More related defenses consist of: mistake of fact (the accused took the wrong item believing it to be their own); voluntary intoxication (this does not always apply, but can limit intent in some cases); and absence of permanence (applicable in cases where someone took an item without permission, but also planned to bring it back).

Key point: You don't have to prove your intentions, but you may have to defend them against the prosecution. It's on the state to show that you did have the intent to commit theft at the time of the alleged crime. This isn't merely a backup plan. This is a key part of nearly all theft defenses, particularly in cases involving disagreements regarding property ownership, where one person honestly believed they had a right to use property when they didn't.

Using This Defense:

• Grand Theft: Negates specific intent to permanently deprive
• Embezzlement: Challenges the fraudulent conversion element
• Fraud / False Pretenses: Attacks the knowing misrepresentation element
• Receiving Stolen Property: Challenges knowledge that property was stolen

Illegal Search & Seizure in Theft/Burglary Cases

The state needs to follow rules when building its case. One critically important one is the 4th Amendment, which stops authorities from performing illegal searches and seizures. In many criminal cases, critical evidence — stolen property, alleged tools of the crime, communications, financial records — is frequently obtained through police searches. If searches violated constitutional requirements, the evidence can be thrown out and the district attorney may be unable to proceed.

Common suppression issues in theft and property crime cases include: searches conducted without either a warrant or just cause; searches conducted under a warrant obtained through false or misleading information in the supporting affidavit; 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 limits 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.

When evidence is suppressed under the exclusionary rule, prosecutors often cannot proceed with charges at all. Even partial suppression — in cases where a subset of the evidence against the defendant is suppressed — can be the difference between a conviction and acquittal. Suppression motions are fully litigated in Fontana, 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 Fontana, CA, investigators and prosecution aren't perfect: Sometimes, they get the wrong guy. False accusations can result from personal disagreements, misidentification by witnesses, mistaken assumptions about ownership, ambiguous surveillance footage, or deliberate fabrication by a party with a motive to harm the accused. Being wrongly accused does not mean the charges will not proceed — aggressive and immediate defense is essential from the moment of accusation.

Eyewitness misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions nationally. In theft, robbery, and burglary cases, the high intensity of the circumstances can lead to witnesses not remembering details clearly — most notably across racial lines, if they didn't have a clear sightline, or when the perpetrator was briefly seen. No matter how confident the eyewitness is, there is always room for error. 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; challenging the reliability of the identification procedure used by law enforcement (photo arrays, live lineups, show-ups); exposing bias or motive on the part alleged victim; presenting expert testimony on the science of human memory and eyewitness reliability; and highlighting inconsistencies between witness statements made at different points in time.

If you are facing false allegations: Do not confront witnesses, do not attempt to gather evidence independently, and do not talk to the police without your theft lawyer present. It's easy to say something that seems innocuous but accidentally makes yourself look guilty. Before speaking to the police, call the Law Offices of David S. Chesley. We're here to protect your rights and defend your innocence.

Lack of Knowledge — If you merely were holding property that turned out to be stolen, the prosecution must prove you were aware that the property was stolen. We challenge this element aggressively — many people unknowingly purchase stolen goods with no way to verify their origin.

Consent / Permission — Consent regarding your use of the property is a strong defense in Fontana, CA, theft cases. 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.

Rights Violations — From Miranda rights violations to due process claims, we examine your case for every constitutional protection that may have been violated — and use those violations to suppress evidence, challenge the prosecution's case, or secure a dismissal.

Diversion Programs — In many cases with offenders without a record, California offers diversion programs that can result in charges being dismissed after completing community service, restitution, or counseling. We identify every diversion opportunity available in your specific case.

Arguing the Property Valuation — In many cases, your charges are determined by how much was allegedly taken. Lower amounts lead to lesser charges. We'll show the true value of the property and argue for lesser charges.

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

A theft conviction does not have to define you for life. Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, certain individuals with theft convictions can ask for their pleas to be removed — a process commonly called an expungement. The following criteria typically apply: successfully done all that was asked of you as a part of probation, including fines and restitution; not currently be charged with, on probation for, or serving a sentence for any other offense; and — in a newly added requirement — in several cases, must not have been incarcerated 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.

When you work with a theft lawyer to clear your record, you can look forward to the following perks: Of note, an expunged conviction generally does not need to be disclosed on private employment applications under state law. However, expungement does not seal a criminal record from all access — it doesn't allow gun ownership, 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) provides additional expungement assistance for individuals in Fontana, CA who don't break any other laws after finishing their sentence, if enough time has passed.

Important: Even after typically California expungement proceedings under § 1203.4, your criminal record can still be seen by the police and certain other organizations. If your goal is the total removal of the record, to be able to legally own a gun again, or clearing a prior strike, a more comprehensive post-conviction strategy is required. 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: Dismissal after successful probation completion
• PC § 1203.4a: Relief for misdemeanors without probation (available 1 year after the conviction)
• PC § 851.91: Arrest record sealing where no conviction resulted
• 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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Common Theft Crimes Questions in Fontana, CA

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


The primary distinction is the value of the property allegedly taken. Anything $950 and under should be a petty theft charge, which is often a misdemeanor. Property valued above $950 — or involving specific categories like firearms or vehicles — is grand theft (a wobbler that can be a misdemeanor or felony). Both require an attorney, but grand theft charges demand urgent and aggressive representation.

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


In many cases, yes. California law lets you expunge several types of theft convictions (including felonies) from your record after completing probation. This will protect your record, prevent most of the public from being able to access it, and help you get a clean start. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley is prepared to help you expunge your record, whatever the circumstances of your conviction.

What should I expect from first-time shoplifting charges in Fontana, CA?


First-time shoplifting charges in California are typically misdemeanors under Proposition 47 (for amounts under $950). Additionally, we can often secure alternative sentencing options which will keep you out of jail. 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?


In many cases, being unaware of stolen property's origins can make for a strong defense. If you honestly didn't know and didn't have a reason 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. Keep in mind, though, that circumstances like strangely good deal or no documentation of ownership can erode your case, making it imperative that you hire a skillful theft crimes lawyer.

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


Very serious. You can expect your grand theft auto case to be charged as a felony, with increased penalties. If you have a criminal record, you may also face enhanced sentencing. Get in touch with one of our attorneys immediately at (800) 755-5174.

What is a "wobbler" offense in California?


The state of California defines several offenses as "wobblers," which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The prosecuting attorney makes this call based on the circumstances of the alleged crime. A large portion of theft-related offenses — such as 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. Even felony charges often have options short of state prison. The specifics of your circumstances will play into this, and your attorney will fight for reduced (if not eliminated) jail time. Call us to understand 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 doesn't matter — the prosecution's goal is to show that you trespassed and had that event. This is why intent evidence — and arguments surrounding it — is critical to burglary defense.

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Fighting Theft Allegations in Fontana, CA? Call Our Firm to Defend Your Freedom.

There is no such thing as a minor theft accusation. Our lawyers are ready to defend you — whenver you need help. Contact us now for a free, confidential case review.

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