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A theft charge in Orange County is more than a court date. A conviction follows you into every job application, every background check, every license you'll ever apply for. ALL Trial Lawyers handles grand theft, petty theft, burglary, embezzlement, and identity theft cases across OC. We fight hard, we talk straight, and we don't tell clients their case is hopeless when it isn't.
Theft cases in California cover a wide range of conduct — from a $20 shoplifting allegation to a multi-million dollar embezzlement charge. The labels matter. Whether the District Attorney charges you under Penal Code 487 (grand theft), 488 (petty theft), 484 (theft generally), 459 (burglary), or 530.5 (identity theft) determines whether you're facing a misdemeanor or a felony, county jail or state prison, and whether the case can be diverted, reduced, or dismissed.
What also matters: the prosecution's evidence isn't always as strong as the police report makes it sound. Surveillance video doesn't always show what witnesses claim it shows. Loss prevention reports get written to support a charge that's already been decided. Co-defendants point fingers. Identification is often shaky. We've handled enough theft cases to know where the weak spots are.
ALL Trial Lawyers represents people accused of theft offenses across Orange County, including Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, and Westminster. Our headquarters is in the City of Orange, and we appear in courthouses across the county including Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, North Justice Center in Fullerton, West Justice Center in Westminster, and Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
"Theft" is an umbrella term in California. The actual charge — and what you're facing — depends on what the DA filed. Here's the landscape.
Theft of property valued over $950, or theft of a firearm, or theft directly from a person regardless of value. A wobbler — can be charged as misdemeanor or felony.
Up to 3 years in state prisonTheft of property valued at $950 or less. A misdemeanor in most cases. Often charged after Prop 47 reduced many former felonies to misdemeanors.
Up to 6 months in county jailThe catch-all theft statute. Covers larceny, false pretenses, embezzlement, and theft by trick. Often charged alongside more specific theft statutes.
Penalty depends on value and conductEntering any structure with intent to commit theft or another felony. First-degree burglary (residential) is always a felony and a strike. Second-degree (commercial) is a wobbler.
Up to 6 years state prison (1st degree)Created by Prop 47. Entering an open business during business hours intending to take property worth $950 or less. Misdemeanor only — replaces commercial burglary in many cases.
Up to 6 months in county jailTheft by someone entrusted with property — most often employees, business partners, or fiduciaries. Charged as grand theft if value exceeds $950. Common in OC business cases.
Up to 3 years state prisonUsing another person's identifying information for any unlawful purpose. A wobbler. Often charged alongside fraud, forgery, or grand theft. Federal exposure if interstate.
Up to 3 years state prisonPetty theft after specific prior convictions. Can elevate a misdemeanor to a wobbler with felony exposure. Defense often turns on challenging the priors.
Up to 3 years state prisonTheft of a vehicle. Almost always charged as a felony. Often filed alongside Vehicle Code 10851 (unlawful taking) — the two overlap but are not the same.
Up to 3 years state prisonThe court date and the sentence are only part of what a theft conviction costs. The collateral consequences often outlast the punishment.
This is why how a theft case is resolved matters as much as whether you're convicted at all. A reduction from felony to misdemeanor, a diversion outcome, or a non-theft alternative charge can preserve your career, your immigration status, and your future.
Every theft case has weaknesses. The question is whether your lawyer is going to find them. Here are the defenses that come up most often.
The most important thing you can do right now is not talk to police without a lawyer. Detectives investigating theft cases will often call, text, or show up at your home asking for "your side of the story." There is no version of that conversation that helps you. Anything you say will be used to support the charge that's already being built.
The earlier we get involved, the more we can do. Pre-filing intervention — reaching out to detectives or the DA before charges are filed — sometimes prevents a case from being filed at all, or convinces the DA to file a lesser charge. Once the case is filed, those options narrow.
If you've already been charged, the first court date matters. Bail arguments, discovery requests, and protective order issues are all decided early. Don't wait until the day before arraignment to find a lawyer.
The name means what it says. Prosecutors track which defense lawyers actually try cases and which ones plead everything out. When the DA knows your lawyer is willing to take a case to a jury, plea offers improve. We don't pressure clients to plead just to close a file.
Different courthouses, different DAs, different judges. We appear in Central Justice Center, North Justice Center, West Justice Center, and Harbor Justice Center regularly, and we know the local landscape. That context shapes how we approach negotiation and trial.
If your case is strong, we'll tell you. If the offer on the table is the best you'll do, we'll tell you that too. We don't make promises about outcomes we can't control, and we don't take cases just to take fees.
A win in a theft case isn't always an acquittal. Sometimes it's a reduction from felony to misdemeanor, a diversion that results in dismissal, or a non-theft charge that protects your record and your immigration status. We focus on the outcome that protects your future, not just the next court date.
Most clients have never been through this before. Here's what to expect.
You call us. We listen, ask questions, and tell you honestly what we think you're facing and what we can do about it.
We pull police reports, surveillance, witness statements, and loss prevention records. We identify the weak points in the prosecution's case.
Most cases resolve through negotiation — diversion, reduction, or dismissal. We push for the outcome that protects your record and your future.
If the offer isn't fair or the case can be won, we take it to a jury. Trial readiness is what makes the rest of the negotiation work.
If you've been arrested, contacted by a detective, served with a subpoena, or just told by a store that they're "pressing charges," here's what protects you:
The line is $950. Theft of property valued at more than $950, theft of a firearm, or theft directly from a person is grand theft (PC 487). Theft of $950 or less is petty theft (PC 488). Grand theft is a wobbler — chargeable as misdemeanor or felony — while petty theft is generally a misdemeanor.
Often yes. Many theft offenses are wobblers, meaning the same conduct can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. After Prop 47, many former felonies were reclassified as misdemeanors automatically. We work to get felony charges reduced through negotiation, motion practice (PC 17(b)), and post-conviction relief where applicable.
It depends on the charge, the value, your record, and how the case is resolved. First-time misdemeanor petty theft cases often resolve without custody. Felony theft cases involving large amounts or prior convictions can carry significant prison time. The way to minimize custody risk is early intervention by counsel.
Maybe. California offers several diversion programs that can result in dismissal — including misdemeanor diversion (PC 1001.95), military diversion, and mental health diversion. Eligibility depends on the charge, your record, and the facts of the case. We evaluate every client for diversion eligibility from the first meeting.
Theft convictions are crimes of moral turpitude under federal immigration law. Even a single conviction can trigger deportation, denial of naturalization, or denial of admission. Non-citizens charged with any theft offense need a lawyer who understands the immigration consequences and structures the resolution to avoid them where possible.
The paper was likely a civil demand notice, a confession, or both. Don't pay anything yet, don't sign anything else, and don't talk to police. Loss prevention officers routinely pressure suspects into signing admissions that become Exhibit A for the prosecution. Call a lawyer before responding to any further contact from the store, the DA, or police.
Misdemeanor theft convictions and many felony theft convictions are eligible for expungement under PC 1203.4 once probation is completed. Expungement doesn't erase the conviction in every context, but it does dismiss the case for most employment and licensing purposes. We handle expungements for former clients and new clients alike.
It depends on the charge, the complexity, and how far the case is likely to go. Misdemeanor theft cases generally cost less than felony cases, and cases that resolve early cost less than cases that go to trial. We give honest case-specific quotes after the initial consultation, which is free.
That's the best moment to call a lawyer. Pre-filing intervention can sometimes prevent charges from being filed, or convince the DA to file a lesser charge. Once the case is filed, your options narrow. If detectives are calling or visiting, get a lawyer before you say a single word to them.
Our headquarters is in the City of Orange, with additional offices across Orange County and throughout Southern California. We meet with clients in person, by phone, and by video.
Call ALL Trial Lawyers now. We'll listen to what happened, give you an honest read on the charge, and walk you through what we can do. No fee, no pressure, no obligation.
All fields are required. If you need immediate assistance, do not hesitate to call us at (866) 811-4255.