Los Angeles and Southern California Theft Crimes Defense Lawyer

Los Angeles theft crimes are criminal acts of taking another person's property or money without the other person's permission. In California, these Southern California theft crimes can be either a misdemeanor or a felony. Los Angeles theft crimes attorney Michael Kraut has significant experience fighting theft cases. Mr. Kraut is a Harvard Law School educated, former prosecutor, who has handled hundreds of Southern California theft crimes cases.

Los Angeles Misdemeanor theft crimes

Petty theft is the taking of property or money that is valued at $400 or less. This is a misdemeanor and may be punished with a sentence of up to six months in jail, significant court fines, restitution to the victim as well as to law enforcement for the cost of investigation of the charges, community service, counseling and probation. It is important to fight your Southern California petty theft offense because a conviction for this offense may be used to enhance a future petty theft into a felony. This is called a Los Angeles petty theft with a prior and is filed as a felony pursuant to Penal Code Section 666 by the prosecutor.

If you have previously been convicted of a petty theft and have served any amount of time in custody, then the prosecutor may automatically file the second offense as a felony. The penalty for a petty theft with a prior is up 3 years in prison, counseling, probation or parole, high court fines, community service, restitution to both the victim and law enforcement. If you are arrested for a petty theft, it is important to immediately hire a Los Angeles theft crimes attorney. Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut is a former prosecutor and knows how to fight your Southern California petty theft crime case.

Los Angeles Felony theft crimes

Grand theft is the taking of property or money that belongs to another that is valued at $400 or more without the other person's consent. All felony theft crimes may be punished by prison, high court fines, restitution to both the victim and law enforcement, probation or parole, reimbursement for the cost of supervision, and counseling. All theft cases will be used to increase future punishment if a person is convicted of a crime in the future.

Common Los Angeles and Southern California theft crimes include:

• Shoplifting or petty theft - Penal Code Section 484
• Petty Theft with a Prior - Penal Code Section 666
• Carjacking - Penal Code Section 215
• Burglary - Penal Code Section 459
• Robbery - Penal Code Section 211
• Armed Robbery - Penal Code Section 211 with a weapon pursuant to Penal Code 12022
• Vehicular Theft - Vehicle Code Section 10851
• Embezzlement - Penal Code Section 503
• Larceny
• Money Laundering
• Credit Card Fraud - Penal Code Section 484(e)
• Identity Theft

Los Angeles theft crimes and their legal penalties will depend on the items stolen, the value of the property, and the criminal history of the person charged. If the person is a repeat offender, the court may give the person a prison sentence of several years.

Because of the significant consequences to a person charged with a theft crime, it is important to immediately hire a Los Angeles theft crimes attorney as soon as you are either investigated or charged with an offense. Hiring a former prosecutor who now practices theft crimes defense can make the difference between having a conviction for a theft offense and having the case dismissed.

Hiring an Experienced Los Angeles and Southern California Theft Crimes Attorney

Attorney Michael Kraut is a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney that has been helping clients in Southern California fight their theft crime charges. Mr. Kraut is a former prosecutor and will review your case and determine a plan to give you the best defense possible. He will file motions, and determine how to effectively argue your case to convince the prosecutor or the judge that the case is weak and the charges should be dismissed.

Mr. Kraut handles cases in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Orange and Ventura Counties in Southern California. Often times the police have a history of filing false police reports. Mr. Kraut knows how to uncover unlawful police conduct. Once uncovered, this may lead the prosecutor to either dismiss the case against you, or significantly reduce the charges. Mr. Kraut will go to court with you and assist in getting you released from custody and explaining to the judge why you should not be held in jail. He can also assist in having a bail bondsman in court to facilitate an immediate release from custody. When you learn there is a Los Angeles theft crimes case filed against you, contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut at the Kraut Law Group at (323) 464-6453 or (888) 334-6344.