San Marcos Theft Crime Attorneys

Skilled Criminal Defense in San Marcos

San Marcos is a city of more than 95,000 people located in the foothills, 35 miles south of downtown San Diego. Despite rapid growth over the past decade, it maintains a small town atmosphere. With miles of trails in the local hills and unique shopping and dining opportunities, residents enjoy excellent quality of life.

Top attractions in San Marcos include Double Peak Park, a popular area for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding; Discovery Lake, a wonderful, out-of-the-way park with a lake and trails; and Buena Creek Gardens, a nursery specializing in unique and uncommon plants.

San Marcos is a business-friendly community, with a strong local economy, an excellent transportation system, diverse housing, an extensive network of parks, and easy access to entertainment. It works to maintain a low crime rate and consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in California.

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What Are the Most Common Theft Crimes We Defend Against?

Our San Marcos theft crime defense lawyers will thoroughly examine the prosecution’s case against you and vigorously challenge every flaw. Types of theft crime cases we frequently handle include:

• Petty theft: Unlawfully taking property of another valued at $950 or less is petty theft. It is a misdemeanor offense.
• Grand theft: Theft is charged as grand theft when property unlawfully taken is valued at $950 or more. The “reasonable fair market value” is used to determine whether the charge is grand theft. This crime is a wobbler, which means it may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, at the prosecution’s discretion.
• Grand theft auto: This criminal offense involves unlawfully taking a vehicle with the intention of keeping it permanently or for a substantial time period. Grand theft auto is a wobbler.
• Burglary: Entering or breaking into someone else’s property with the intent to commit a felony or theft is burglary. It is first-degree burglary when it occurs at a residence and second-degree burglary when it occurs at a place of business, such as a store. Burglary is a felony in the first degree and a wobbler in the second degree.
• Carjacking: Taking control of a vehicle from another person using force or fear is carjacking. It is a felony offense.
• Identity fraud: This crime is on the rise in California and across the U.S. It involves theft of an individual’s personal information to use for an unlawful or fraudulent purpose. Identity fraud is a wobbler.
• Embezzlement: This white collar crime involves taking or converting for use property that has been entrusted to that person by someone else. Depending on the value of the property taken, embezzlement can be penalized as petty theft or as grand theft. This crime is a wobbler.

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How Severe Are Penalties for Theft Crimes in San Marcos?

Felony offenses carry stiffer penalties than misdemeanors. When Proposition 47 passed in 2014, many felony crimes became misdemeanors under state law. Penalties for theft crimes can vary widely, depending on the type of theft, the value of the items taken, and other factors. For example, grand theft is punishable under the “Three Strikes” system. For a first offense, you may serve three years in state prison and pay a $5,000 fine. After three “strikes,” you may face a prison sentence of 25 years. On the other hand, first offense petty theft may be punished with a fine alone.

If you are facing theft charges, it is in your best interests to consult with an experienced San Marcos criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. At jD Law Criminal Defense Attorneys, you will work with a board-certified criminal defense specialist.

We offer a free initial consultation. Call us today at (760) 630-2000.

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