Criminal Theft Lawyer San Diego

Being charged with theft can change the course of your life. Whether it's a misunderstanding or a mistake, criminal theft charges carry consequences that may include jail time, probation, restitution, and a permanent mark on your record. If you're searching for a criminal theft lawyer San Diego residents trust to defend their rights and restore their peace of mind, you're already on the right path.

At Flores Legal Allies, our mission goes beyond legal defense. We become your ally, advocate, and voice during one of the most stressful moments of your life. Led by attorney Andrew Flores, our firm is known for listening deeply to our clients, building real relationships, and fighting tirelessly to protect your future.

Understanding Criminal Theft Charges

Theft, or larceny, refers to the unlawful taking of someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. However, not all theft charges are the same. The severity depends on several factors such as the value of the item stolen, whether force was used, and your prior criminal record.

Common types of theft offenses include:

• Petty Theft (value under $950)
• Grand Theft (value over $950 or specific property types)
• Burglary (entering a structure with intent to commit theft or felony)
• Robbery (theft using force or fear)
• Receiving Stolen Property
• Auto Theft
• Shoplifting
• Embezzlement

Being accused doesn’t make you guilty. With the right criminal theft lawyer San Diego, you can build a strong defense that reflects your side of the story and protects your rights.

Penalties for Theft Crimes in California

The California Penal Code outlines specific penalties based on the type of theft:

• Petty Theft (PC 484/488): Usually a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Grand Theft (PC 487): Can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony (a “wobbler”), with felony charges carrying up to 3 years in jail.
• Burglary (PC 459): First-degree burglary (residential) is a felony with up to 6 years in prison. Second-degree (commercial) burglary may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony.
• Robbery (PC 211): Always a felony, punishable by up to 9 years in prison depending on degree.
• Auto Theft (VC 10851 or PC 487(d)(1)): Felony, 16 months to 3 years in prison.

The lasting effects of a conviction—like a criminal record, employment difficulties, and immigration consequences—make it crucial to seek experienced representation from a criminal theft lawyer San Diego defendants rely on.

Legal Defenses to Theft Charges

At Flores Legal Allies, we approach every case with a custom strategy. We don’t believe in cookie-cutter defenses. Some possible defenses we may use include:

• Lack of Intent: Theft requires intent. If the alleged act was accidental or misunderstood, it could weaken the prosecution’s case.
• Claim of Right: You believed you had a right to the property, even if mistaken.
• Mistaken Identity: Eyewitness errors and faulty surveillance footage can lead to false accusations.
• Consent: If the owner gave you permission to take the property, it’s not theft.
• Entrapment: You were lured or pressured into committing the theft by law enforcement.

Our firm’s approach is built on deeply listening to your version of events so we can construct a defense that reflects the full truth, not just the prosecution’s version of it.