Del Mar Theft Crime Defense Attorneys

Skilled Criminal Defense in Del Mar

Theft crimes are a common occurrence in Del Mar and San Diego County. Statewide, of all reported property crimes in 2021, 63% were larceny thefts, 21% were auto thefts, and 16% were burglaries, as stated by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Motivation for theft crimes can vary. People who believe they do not have the financial resources to survive may resort to crime. Theft crimes may also be motivated by addiction, revenge, or the thrill of committing a crime.

Back to Top

What Are Some Common Theft Crimes in Del Mar?

The category of theft crimes includes everything from shoplifting goods worth less than $950 to white collar crimes such as embezzlement on a large scale. California’s Proposition 47, passed by voters in 2014, reclassified certain theft offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. Common theft crimes in Del Mar include:

• Petty theft: This crime is defined as the unlawful taking of property valued at $950 or less. It is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by a jail sentence of up to six months and a maximum fine of $1,000.
• Grand theft: Unlawful taking of property valued at $950 or more is grand theft. This crime is a wobbler, meaning it may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, at the discretion of the prosecution. As a misdemeanor, grand theft carries penalties including up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000. When prosecuted as a felony, it is punishable by a prison sentence of up to three years and a maximum fine of $10,000.
• Burglary: A person who breaks into or enters someone else’s property with the intent to commit theft or a felony inside commits burglary. If charged as a misdemeanor (when the property is a business), it is punishable by a maximum jail sentence of one year. If charged as a felony (for burglary of a residence) it carries up to 16 months, two years, or three years in state prison.
• Grand theft auto: This is a wobbler offense that involves the unlawful taking of a vehicle with the intention of keeping it for a substantial period of time or permanently. Grand theft auto is punishable by up to a year in jail as a misdemeanor and up to three years in prison as a felony.
• Identity theft: The definition of identity theft is taking another person’s information to use in a fraudulent or unlawful manner. It is a wobbler offense, punishable as a misdemeanor by a jail sentence of up to one year, a fine of up to $1,000, or both; and as a felony by a prison sentence of up to three years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
• Shoplifting: Defined as entering an open business with the intent to steal items valued at less than $950, shoplifting is charged as a misdemeanor unless the defendant is a registered sex offender or has a prior serious felony conviction. In Del Mar, this offense carries penalties of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Back to Top

What Should You Do if You Are Accused of a Theft Crime?

If you have been accused of theft crime, speak with an experienced Del Mar criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, we have more than three decades of experience. Our founding attorney is a former LAPD police officer who is board-certified as a criminal law specialist. We have handled thousands of criminal cases, ranging from petty theft to murder.

Contact us at (760) 630-2000 to get a skilled Del Mar theft defense lawyer on your side.

Back to Top

Sample of Case Results

• Petty Theft -
  Charges Reduced
• Fraudulent Appropriation by Clerk -
  Charges Reduced to an Infraction

View more case results here.