Theft is not a single type of crime. In fact, in California, there are several crimes that fall under the category of theft crimes. These include everything from embezzlement to burglary. Because some of these may be felonies, you should have an Orange County theft crimes defense attorney who is well-versed in the law and experienced in helping people with their cases in court. Understanding the various types of crimes and how they could be categorized can help you to appreciate the need for experienced legal counsel.
Burglary
Commercial or residential burglaries fall under Penal Code 459. The former is a 2nd Degree Burglary, which can be charged as a misdemeanor with a maximum one year or a felony with a maximum of three years. Residential burglaries are always felonies and 1st Degree Burglary charges. These fall under the Three Strikes Law and have a maximum of six years in prison. Auto burglary, like commercial cases, can be a misdemeanor or felony.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the amount allegedly stolen. This type of charge happens in cases when an employee is accused of stealing from their employer.
Grand Theft
Grand theft refers to the amount of property allegedly stolen. This type of crime deals with property theft of $950 or more. Like many other theft crimes, it can be a misdemeanor or felony charge.
Petty Theft
Petty theft without any prior convictions is a misdemeanor with a maximum of six months in jail. However, petty theft with priors increases the maximum sentence to three years for a felony or one for a misdemeanor.
Robbery
Robbery is theft directly from a person by using force or fear. This type of theft crime is always a felony charge and a strike. If the prosecution alleges that a weapon played a role, the sentence can double.
Contact The Law Office of Steven K. Bloom for Help with Your Orange County Case
If you have a theft crime charge in Orange County, contact The Law Office of Steven K. Bloom for advice. With the experience of more than 20 years helping people to defend their cases in California courts, he understands the intricacies of the law and the dedication needed for each case. You can have an expert in your corner to help you through the legal system.
Sources
https://skbesq.com/three-strikes-law/
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=459.&lawCode=PEN
https://skbesq.com/types-of-theft-crimes/
https://skbesq.com/theft-crimes/
