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Regardless of whether or not the case proceeds to trial, the seriousness of a grand theft charge in California requires the assistance of a skilled and committed criminal defense lawyer who knows every legal argument when defending clients.
Learn more about this complex charge then contact our firm to discuss your specific situation.
Grand Theft Charges in California
Under California law, there are two classifications of theft: petty and grand. Petty theft involves the theft of property with a value less than $950, whereas the theft of property with a value of $950 or more constitutes grand theft. Additionally, California law designates the theft of certain types of property.
Section 487 of the California Penal Code, designates the unlawful taking in any of the following as grand theft:
- When the money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding $950.
- When domestic fowls, avocados, olives, citrus, deciduous fruits, other fruits, vegetables, nuts, artichokes, or other farm crops are taken of a value exceeding $250.
- Fish, shellfish, mollusks, crustaceans, kelp, algae, or other aquacultural products are taken from a commercial or research operation that is producing that product, of a value exceeding $250.
- Money, labor, or real or personal property is taken by a servant, agent, or employee from his or her principal or employer and aggregates $950 or more in any 12 consecutive month period.
- When the property is taken from the person of another.
- When the property is taken is from an automobile or is a firearm.
Grand Theft Penalties in CA
Grand theft is normally charged as a felony; however, California law provides prosecutors latitude to charge grand theft as a misdemeanor based on the facts of the case and the defendant's criminal history. A conviction for misdemeanor grand theft is no more than one year of imprisonment.
In case of felony grand theft under the California Penal Code Section 489 felony grand theft is punishable as follows:
- If the grand theft involves the theft of a firearm, by imprisonment in the state prison for 16 months to 3 years.
- If the grand theft involves livestock, by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by a fine not exceeding $5,000, or by both that fine and imprisonment.
- In all other cases, by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year.
Grand Theft Defense Strategies
There are a number of potential defenses to grand theft charges in California, which often center on the offender's intent or knowledge. One of the most common defense tactics is the argument that, at the time the offense occurred, the defendant had a good-faith belief that he or she owned the property or was legally entitled to possess it.
To prove that a defendant is guilty of theft, the prosecution must prove that:
- The defendant took possession of property owned by someone else;
- The defendant took the property without the owner's consent;
- When the defendant took the property he or she intended to deprive the owner of it permanently or to remove it from the owner's possession for so extended a period of time that the owner would be deprived of a major portion of the value or enjoyment of the property; and
- The defendant moved the property, even a small distance, and kept it for any period, however brief.
If you have been arrested for the crime of grand theft in the Visalia, California area, contact a criminal lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.