Los Angeles Criminal Identity Theft - Penal Code 530.5 PC

Identity theft in California has sky rocketed over the last few years. The legislature enacted new Penal Code Sections that increase the penalties for identity theft. Penal Code Section 530.5 PC and Penal Code Section 530.5(a) PC.

If you have been investigated for committing Identity Theft in California, contact Los Angeles Identity Theft Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Kraut. Mr. Kraut is a former prosecutor and knows what law enforcement must prove in order to convict you of identity theft.

The Identity theft laws were enacted in 1998. The crime started out as a simple misdemeanor but one year later, in 1999, the crime was upgrade to a felony in some cases. The crime of identity theft is considered a “wobbler.” That means the prosecution can file the charges as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on certain factors.

What is a Criminal Identity Theft in California?

Penal Code Section 530.3 PC states that the unauthorized use or possession of personal identifying information that could be used to obtain credit, any property, or medical information on another person is a crime.

Penal Code Section 530.5(a) states that “knowingly” and willfully possessing personal identifying information to gain goods, services, property or to obtain credit a crime punishable for up to one year if filed as a misdemeanor. If the crime id more involved and it is filed as a felony, the crime can be punished a prison sentence of several years.

Penal Code Section 530.5(b) states that if you willfully obtain personal information of another person without their authorization and uses that information to commit a crime and is then convicted, then the Court file shall state that the person whose identity was taken expressly did not commit a crime.

If you have been arrested, investigated, or charged with a Los Angeles Criminal Identity Theft case, the you should contact Los Angeles Identity theft criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut for a free consultation. He can be reached at (323) 464–6453 and everything you speak about will be confidential.