Escondido Theft Crime Defense Attorneys

Defending Escondido Theft Crimes

Theft crimes in Escondido are a common category of offending. Many individuals charged with theft crimes are good people who made a mistake or are innocent altogether. Escondido is a relatively large city in California. Based on FBI crime data, Escondido is not one of the safest communities in America, with a crime rate higher than 61% of California's cities and towns.

jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys have the experience and expertise to defend you if you are facing a misdemeanor or felony theft charge in Escondido. Call us at (760) 630-2000 today.

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Common Theft Crimes in Escondido

Common theft crimes in Escondido range from petty theft to grand theft, covering specific thefts such as auto burglary. Petty theft (Penal Code 488 PC) is the unlawful taking of property valued at $950 or less, and Grand theft (penal Code 487 PC) is the unlawful taking of property valued over $950.

Petty theft is a misdemeanor, and grand theft can be either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the facts of the case. Burglary (Penal Code 459 PC) occurs when a person breaks into or enters a property with the intent to commit a theft or felony. If the burglary occurs at someone's residence, the charge is first-degree burglary. If it is at a store or business, it is a second-degree burglary. Both are felonies.

As well as the more general charges of petty theft, grand theft, and burglary, specific thefts have specific charges. Auto burglary (Penal code 459 PC), for example, applies when a person enters or breaks into a vehicle with the intent to commit a theft. This is a subset of the general charge of burglary. Auto burglary is charged as second-degree burglary and is a felony charge.

White-collar crimes are also included in theft crimes and cover offending such as fraud, including accounting fraud, bank fraud and mail fraud. Embezzlement and identity theft are also theft crimes. These are usually charged as felonies, as the accused had the intent to deprive others for their benefit through deceptive means.

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Theft Crime Penalties and How We Can Help You

Whether the theft crime is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depends on what is in your charging document, as well as the seriousness of the offense. However, with the help of a skilled Escondido defense attorney, it is possible for a felony charge to be reduced to a misdemeanor. jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys have experience with this and will work to reduce your theft crime charge wherever possible.

When you hire an Escondido theft crime defense lawyer at jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, we take a stand against your charges and work to ensure you receive the best outcome possible. If you are a first-time offender charged with theft, we can work to reduce or eliminate your jail time with a diversion program or retribution. We focus on protecting your rights, so you have the best chance of continuing life after a theft charge, without a criminal record.

Call us at (760) 630-2000 today if you have been arrested for a theft crime in Escondido and need the best possible defense.

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