Petty Theft

In California, petty theft is defined as the taking of another person’s property or money valued at $950 or less. Generally, petty theft is a misdemeanor offense. This means that, if convicted, you could be ordered to serve up to six months in jail, pay large court fines, pay the victim for restitution, community service, counseling, probation, and so forth.

Grand Theft

Grand theft is defined as the taking of another person’s property or money that is valued at $950 or more. Grand theft, in contrast to petty theft, is a felony offense. In California, if you are convicted of a felony offense, you could be ordered to serve time in prison, pay large court fines, pay restitution to both the victim and law enforcement, serve probation or parole, and so forth.

Shoplifting

In California, shoplifting is defined as the unlawful appropriation of money, property, or labor worth $950 or less. In simpler terms, shoplifting occurs when an individual takes items for sale from a store without paying. Shoplifting is generally considered to be a misdemeanor offense.

Auto Theft

Auto theft generally involves the alleged stealing of any type of automobile. Auto theft can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the type and value of the vehicle. For example, pursuant to California Vehicle Code Section 10851, if you are charged with allegedly stealing an ambulance, marked fire department vehicle, or a disabled veteran’s modified vehicle, you could be charged with a felony offense. punishable by up to three years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Another auto theft offense in California is “joyriding,” which is defined as taking another person’s vehicle without permission, but without the intent to permanently steal the motor vehicle. Generally, joyriding is considered a misdemeanor offense.

Burglary

Under California law, burglary is defined as entering a structure or certain vehicles without permission, or remaining in a structure without consent, with the intent to commit theft or other felony offense. Structures where burglary can occur include the following:

• Aircrafts
• Apartments
• Campers
• Cargo containers
• Homes
• Railroad cars
• Stores
• Tents
• Vessels
• Warehouses
• Identity Theft

Identity theft is defined as unlawfully and intentionally acquiring and retaining possession of another individual’s personally identifiable information. Identity theft is generally considered to be a felony offense. If convicted of identity theft in California, you could be ordered to serve up to three years in a state prison, pay restitution to the victim, pay substantial court costs and fines, serve parole or probation, and so forth.

Embezzlement

In California, embezzlement is defined as the unlawful theft or taking of something that has been entrusted to you that belongs to another individual. This type of crime is considered a white-collar crime since it typically occurs in the employment context within a corporate entity or other organization. Embezzlement can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the amount of the item(s) or funds that were allegedly embezzled. If the value is $950 or greater, then it could be charged as felony grand theft. If the value is below $950, then it could be charged as misdemeanor petty theft.

Fraud

Under California law, fraud offenses are a category of theft crimes where the act of theft is carried out by trickery, artifice, or other devices. Examples of fraud offenses include:

• Credit card fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Forgery
• Public assistance fraud