California Theft by Deception Attorney
Have you been charged with Theft by False Pretenses? Call Weber Law today!
In California, if you are being prosecuted for theft by false pretenses, you could be facing a variety of penalties including jail time, a permanent record, and hefty fines. It can be stressful and scary to have criminal charges pending. You need someone on your side to help you navigate the system; do not let one mistake or blemish on your record effect you for the rest of your life. A criminal charge can affect potential jobs, your current job, or even the renting of an apartment. Let Weber Law help you keep your record clean.
California Theft by False Pretense Charges and Penalties
What is Theft by False Pretenses?
Every person who knowingly and designedly, by any false or fraudulent representation or pretense, defrauds any other person of money, labor, or property, whether real or personal, or who causes or procures others to report falsely of his or her wealth or mercantile character, and by thus imposing upon any person obtains credit, and thereby fraudulently gets possession of money or property, or obtains the labor or service of another, is guilty of theft by false pretenses.
Convincing someone to give you their property or money by telling them something that is not true or promising something that you cannot give. The difference between theft by false pretense and theft is that the property is given voluntarily by the victim, because they think they will get something in return or believe something that is not true based upon what the person stealing tells them.
What is the Punishment?
Theft by deception is punished as any crime of theft in California is. The charge can range from felony to misdemeanor depending on the value of the property stolen. Theft is punishable by a wide range of penalties, depending on the value of the item that was taken, how it was taken, and even more specifically what type of property was taken. Grand theft is when money, labor, or real or personal property taken is of a value exceeding $950.00, any value under $950.00 is considered petty theft.
If the theft involves the theft of a firearm, the punishment is imprisonment for sixteen months to three years. If the theft involves the theft of specific animals such has mule, jack, sheep, lamb, hog, sow, boar, gilt, barrow, bovine, equine, jenny, or pig the punishment is up to one-year imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both. All other convictions of grand theft are punishable by imprisonment for up to one year.
Petty theft is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or by imprisonment up to six months, or both.
If the theft of the money, labor, real or personal property taken is of a value which is less than $50.00, and it is a first offense, it is charged as a misdemeanor or infraction (depending on the prosecutor). An infraction is punishable by a fine of not more than $250.00.
As the sentence can range so widely, it is important to have knowledgeable legal counsel that can fight for the lowest sentence possible. It is possible to get a sentence reduction, but it requires good legal counsel.
Even as a Defendant, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights, and it is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction. Do not try to fight these charges on your own—Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a theft by false pretenses charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
How Can WEBER LAW Help You?
If you are being prosecuted for theft by false pretenses in California, no matter the circumstances, there are a few ways that Weber Law can fight for you. There are defenses against the crime of theft by false pretenses which include but are not limited to the victim misunderstanding you, thinking you paid for the item, or thinking the victim gave the item to you. Weber Law can help lower the charge to a lesser crime, lowering your sentence for less jail time, lowering your fine amount, or representing you at trial. Do not face these charges alone; let Weber Law work for you. By looking at potential evidence such as video surveillance, your criminal record, and potential eyewitness testimony, Weber Law will make sure to look at all the details of your case. At Weber Law we are experienced in defending these charges, winning these cases, and creating an outcome you can be happy with. An outcome that will allow you to live a life free of a criminal charge. Being convicted of theft can have impacts on the rest of your life, let Weber Law help you navigate the criminal justice system. The court room can be a very intimidating place; let Weber Law do the work for you. If you or anyone you know are being prosecuted for theft under false pretenses in the state of California, call Weber Law today for a consultation.
CA Penal Code § 532, False pretenses; obtaining money, labor or property; punishment; evidence necessary to support conviction
CA Penal Code § 487, Grand theft defined
CA Penal Code § 490, Petty theft; punishment
CA Penal Code § 487a, Grand theft; prohibited conduct; specified animals
CA Penal Code § 486, Theft; degrees
CA Penal Code § 490.1, Petty theft where value taken under $50; penalty
A Los Angeles, California Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
Office Address:
80 South Lake Ave. Ste. 590, Pasadena, California 91101