San Diego Theft Crimes Lawyer

Defending Criminal Theft Charges in San Diego, CA

Theft itself is defined as the unlawful taking of another's property. Viewed on a broader scale, theft crimes include any of a number of actions that are carried out in the attempt to obtain another's property. Theft may be committed in a violent or non-violent manner and with or without the victim ever knowing. A theft crime may be carried out by creating a scheme that is meant to defraud others, and may involve any type of physical property as well as a person's identity. Following are some examples of theft crimes:

Theft

First and foremost, theft is considered an act of stealing, or taking another person's property without their permission and the intention of not returning the item. Theft can be done by violence, threats of violence or without violence altogether. Click here to read more about crimes of theft in San Diego.

Theft Crimes Defense

When facing a theft offense, having a strong defense is absolutely crucial. Without a San Diego theft crimes defense lawyer, you will likely face the maximum penalties associated with the crime you have been charged with, even if you are innocent. Click here to read more about theft crimes defense.

Shoplifting

As one of the most frequent offenses of theft, shoplifting is a growing crime in the community today. Younger and younger individuals are partaking in the criminal act of shoplifting, even if the item is only worth a very small amount of money. It is important to get legal help if you are facing shoplifting charges. Click here to read more about shoplifting.

Petty / Grand Theft

The difference between petty theft and grand theft is as follows: petty theft is an offense in which the property is valued up to $400. Grand theft is considered to be the unlawfully taking of any item that is worth more than $400 and is associated with much higher penalties. Click here to read more about petty / grand theft.

Felony Petty Theft

A person is charged with felony petty theft when they have prior convictions of petty theft, grand theft, carjacking, burglary or robbery. It is important to obtain the resources of a defense attorney when facing these charges; you may be able to avoid some of the harsh consequences associated with this offense. Click here to read more about felony petty theft.

Auto Theft

Stealing a motor vehicle without the permission of the owner is against the law and highly punishable in the state of California. If excessive force or threats of violence occurred during the alleged act, you will likely find yourself facing even more substantial consequences. Click here to read more about auto theft.

Bank Fraud

Defrauding a bank by using counterfeit U.S. currency, fake checks or by using another's identity is a highly punishable crime that prosecutors and judges take very seriously here in San Diego. Facing bank fraud as your first offense can affect your life adversely for years to come. Click here to read more about bank fraud.

Bribery

Being accused of making a bribe to a government official or a person in a high ranking power for personal gain or to harm another person is the criminal act of bribery. This can occur in a political setting, at a sporting event or in the legal environment. Click here to read more about the crime known as bribery.

Burglary

Burglary is the act of breaking and entering into a building, commercial or residential, with the intention of committing a criminal act. Whether the actual crime was carried out after the building was broken into does not matter in a case such as this, it will still be tried as burglary. Click here to read more about burglary.

Carjacking

When a person uses threats of violence or excessive force to unlawfully take another's vehicle while in their possession, they are guilty of carjacking. In cases such as these, a victim may elaborate the story to appear there was violence, creating a harsher charge. Having an attorney on your case, especially in cases like this, is always the best idea. Click here to read more about carjacking.

Counterfeiting

Making or using counterfeit currency is against the law and considered to be a theft crime and white collar crime. A person who unknowingly uses counterfeit money can start an investigation and be charged criminally when they had no intention of using false money. Click here to learn more about counterfeiting.

Credit Card Fraud

These days, everyone takes extensive measures to make sure their social security and credit card information is not leaked over the internet or to phishers online - and for good reason. Credit card fraud is a serious problem, especially if you have been wrongly accused of this offense. Click here to read more about credit card fraud.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement, or a theft offense that involves misappropriating money from one's employer without their knowledge. These types of charges can be heavily penalized according to California law, and having an attorney on your case is strongly suggested. Click here to read more about embezzlement.

Identity Theft

The crime of identity theft refers to the impersonation or defrauding of another's identity for personal gain or to bring harm to the victim. If you have been accused of identity theft, it is best to retain the services of a criminal defense law firm as soon as possible. Click here to read more about identity theft.

Mail Fraud

Using the U.S. postal service for means of fraud is considered the act of mail fraud. This includes failing to send a package after payments have been received and claiming to be another person through means of the mail. Many times, mail fraud is prosecuted as a federal offense in federal court. Click here to read more about mail fraud.

Money Laundering

Money laundering, or the act of unlawfully obtaining money and making it appear as if it was gained from a legitimate source, can be tried in state or federal court. As such, having an attorney who is well aware of federal laws and federal court is absolutely pivotal. Click here to read more about money laundering.

Robbery

Stealing from another individual by force, violence or threats of violence is the theft crime known as robbery and can count as a strike on an individual's record. Having three of these strikes, or three violent theft crime convictions, will result in the consequence of 25 to life. Click here to read more about robbery.

"Strike" Theft Crimes

According to California's three strikes law, an individual will be penalized with enhanced penalties for each additional violent crime conviction. If a theft offense involved a violent act and you are convicted of the crime, your sentence will most likely double and a strike will be added to your criminal record. Click here to read more about "strike" theft crimes.

About San Diego Theft Charges

Because theft crimes include such a broad range of criminal offenses, it is difficult to say what potential penalties a defendant may face without thoroughly evaluating his or her particular case. A petty theft offense such as shoplifting, for example, will likely be charged as a misdemeanor and it is doubtful that a defendant would face imprisonment. Mail fraud, on the other hand, is a serious federal crime that may result in $1,000,000 in fines and up to 20 years of imprisonment, if a federally insured financial institution is targeted.

Superior Law Center is a San Diego law firm dedicated to providing the highest quality legal representation to clients in the face of all types of theft crimes, ranging from petty theft all the way to robbery and fraud. We understand the direct and significant impact that a skilled San Diego theft crime attorney can have on the outcome of a client's case, and as such we dedicate our time, resources and knowledge to protecting our clients' constitutional rights through every step of the criminal process.

Contact a San Diego theft defense lawyer at our firm today for more information about theft offenses in San Diego County.