K. J. Petsas Criminal Law Blog on Lawyers.com

Theft Crimes in California

Friday, October 7, 2011 by K. J. Petsas

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there were over 21,000 arrests for robbery and 55,000 arrests for burglary in California in 2009. Theft is a broad category of California law that affects all citizens.

Types of theft crimes

While criminal defense lawyers throughout California understand the clear distinctions between theft crimes, many members of the general public do not. The following are differences between theft, burglary, and robbery:

Theft. Theft occurs when something is taken from its owner with the intent to deprive them of it. Auto theft, burglary, robbery, shoplifting, and fraud are all theft crimes, among others. Penalties vary with the crime.
Burglary. Burglary involves entering a structure with the intent to steal property and to commit a felony or other crime. Charges of breaking and entering can be added to burglary even if entry onto the premises was not forced. Although burglary penalties vary with the seriousness of the crime, conviction on felony burglary, such as home invasion, can lead to six years in prison.
Robbery. Also a theft crime, robbery is taking property from a person, or their immediate environment, through force or threat. Conviction on armed robbery—using a weapon or firearm—can enhance the six to nine year sentence of a robbery conviction by one to three years.

Skilled legal help makes a difference for burglary charges

A good defense on theft charges of any kind involves experienced legal help. If a theft case does go to trial, defenses including the following might be used:

Mistaken intent or fact
Mistaken identity or false arrest
Innocence

If facing theft charges of any kind, contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer for help.

Contact us

With over 30 years experience, the San Mateo criminal lawyers at Petsas and Stephens, LLP aggressively defend clients facing felony, misdemeanor, drunk driving, and domestic violence charges—in San Francisco, San Mateo, and throughout the San Francisco Bay area. If you are charged with a crime, contact us today at 650-624-8155. Our offices are located at 1475 Huntington Avenue, Suite 205, South San Francisco, CA 94080.

Posted at 14:24 PM

Topic: Criminal Law