Riverside Petty Theft Attorney
When you have been arrested and charged with petty theft in Riverside, you may be having serious concerns about your future. Or perhaps you thought a petty theft charge was “no big deal”, and you are only now realizing the severity of the charges against you.
Although petty theft may not be a felony, that does not mean a conviction does not come with serious consequences. An experienced Riverside petty theft attorney at the Law Offices of Graham D. Donath could help you prepare a compelling defense or obtain another favorable outcome in your case.
What is Petty Theft Under California Law?
Under California Penal Code 484(a) PC, you can be charged with petty theft if you have been accused of stealing or wrongfully taking someone else’s property. But the value of that property must be $950 or less. This is considered a misdemeanor.
If the value of the property in question exceeds $950, then you might instead be charged with grand theft. This is a Wobbler crime that can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the specific details of your case.
Criminal Penalties Of a Riverside Petty Theft Conviction
Misdemeanor or petty theft convictions are punishable by several criminal penalties. These often include:
- Imprisonment for up to six months in county jail
- Up to $1,000 in fines
- Community service
- Summary Probation
- Completion of substance abuse treatment
If you have been arrested on petty theft charges while you were already on probation, then you could expect to face a violation of your probation (VOP), which could result in the revocation of your probation and the imposition of your original sentence, in addition to the penalties you will face for your petty theft conviction.
Collateral Consequences When You’re Found Guilty Of Petty Theft in Riverside, CA
But criminal penalties are not the only consequences you will face if you are found guilty of petty theft in Riverside. In addition to the criminal penalties you will face, you may also experience:
- Issues with child custody
- Difficulty with immigration or citizenship status
- Damage to your personal and professional reputations
- Strained relationships with family and friends
- Difficulty finding a good job
- Trouble finding safe or affordable housing
- Loss of eligibility for federal student aid
With criminal and collateral consequences this high, it is critical that you avoid the fallout that comes with a petty theft conviction in Riverside. If you have been convicted of petty theft, you may be able to speak with your Riverside petty theft attorney about the requirements for getting your record expunged at a later date.
Contact a Riverside Petty Theft Attorney Today
Petty theft charges are not the most severe crime you could face in California. But a conviction could still ruin your reputation, smear your criminal background report, land you in jail, and follow you for years to come.
Make sure you take steps to defend yourself and clear your name of the charges against you. Get help from a reputable Riverside petty theft lawyer at the Law Offices of Graham D. Donath.
Complete our secured contact form to get started on your defense strategy today. Or call our Riverside office at 951-667-5293 or our Orange County office at 714-758-5293 when you are ready to schedule your confidential consultation.
