Redwood City Theft Lawyer

Should I Hire an Attorney for a Petty Theft Charge?

Petty theft is a category of theft crime characterized by the lower value of the stolen property. Most states divide theft laws into two categories: petty theft and grand theft. If the property stolen is worth more than $400, it is classified as grand theft. Any theft worth less than $400 is considered petty theft.

While petty theft may sound like a charge that’s no big deal, you could be facing the legal consequences of a petty theft criminal charge. If you are facing a petty theft charge, you may want to hire a theft lawyer. The professionals at Morales Law Firm have over 25 years of experience in defending theft charges. Petty theft laws can vary across jurisdictions, so it is important to have someone on your side who understands the laws in your jurisdiction.

Petty theft is most commonly associated with shoplifting, which is the theft of goods from a retail store. It also occurs when someone is legally at a location; if someone is illegally at a location and steals property, it would be considered a burglary charge rather than a petty theft charge.

Petty Theft Examples

Most commonly, petty theft, as stated above, involves a person stealing something from a store by putting it in their purse or pocket. However, many types of theft can be considered petty theft, and they do not have to involve lifting property.

Some examples of petty theft are:

• Dine and dash: When someone eats food at a restaurant and leaves before paying
• Watch and dash: Watching a movie in a theater without paying for a ticket
• Eating in a store and not paying for the food
• Switching price tags on items so you are able to pay a lesser price
• Putting a higher-costing item into a lower-costing item’s box

It is important to note that some people might not believe some of these examples are theft. However, just because they do not know it is theft does not make it legal. Ignorance of the law is not a defense in San Mateo County. Even if someone does not know they are committing a theft, they could still face criminal charges if they are caught.

Is Theft a Misdemeanor or a Felony in San Mateo County?

Theft could be considered a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the value of the item stolen. Grand theft is a felony; it remains so even for those who have never committed it before. Petty theft is typically found as a misdemeanor for a first-time offender. For repeat offenders, petty theft could potentially result in felony charges. Felony charges and misdemeanors are very different, especially in terms of someone’s criminal record. Misdemeanors are much easier than felonies to erase from a criminal record than felonies. This becomes a factor when someone is applying for a job or to rent an apartment.

Is a Theft Lawyer Needed at My Arraignment?

If charges have been made against you, an important and early part of the process that you need to understand is the arraignment. A common question is whether a theft lawyer needs to be present at the arraignment. This and other questions will be answered below.

What Is an Arraignment?

You can think of the arraignment as your first court appearance. For the most part, this meeting takes care of the administrative aspects of the court case, although a few other very important things also happen at the arraignment:

• Explain the charges
• Ask for a plea
• Set bail
• Set a court date

To ensure the defendant has no confusion over what the charges mean and what he or she is being charged for, all the charges are clearly explained. Next, the defendant is asked to make a plea. This is the most important part of the arraignment. If you plead guilty, you will be sentenced immediately. If you plead not guilty, the court will continue to determine whether or not you really are guilty. In very rare cases, the defendant can plead no contest. This is typically only applicable if the defendant has no memory of the crime. Finally, the court date and bail in criminal cases are set. If you pay bail, you can leave; otherwise, you need to remain in a jail cell until your court date.

Is a Theft Lawyer Necessary?

Now the question is whether or not your Redwood, CA theft lawyer needs to be present at your arraignment. Technically, the answer is no. You are free to go to your arraignment alone, and you will be offered the chance to receive a public defender. If you plan to hire a private theft lawyer Redwood, CA residents trust, rather than a public defender, it is in your best interest to hire them as early as possible, which should be long before the arraignment. The biggest reason is that you do not know how much time will pass between your arraignment and your court date. There may not be enough time to hire a theft lawyer and have them catch up on the case. Additionally, the longer your lawyer has to prepare, the higher your chances of having a successful case. Your Redwood, California theft lawyer should also advise you of your plea. If you want to be as safe as possible, the very first thing you should do when charges are made against you is to talk with a theft lawyer. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, there are many legal aid options to help you.

Can a theft lawyer make a difference in the outcome of my case?

Regardless of the exact nature of the allegations against you, the risk of a conviction for theft is very real and may have lifelong consequences. This underscores the importance of having a rock-solid defense strategy and making every effort to get the charge dismissed or reduced even before the trial begins. If going to trial is unavoidable, the same defense strategy will need to earn you a verdict of not guilty from the jury. Without the guidance of our respected Redwood City, CA theft lawyer, this is unlikely. Christopher Morales of The Morales Law Firm has successfully defended clients for more than two decades. He is the one you want to call if you are charged with the crime of theft. Whether you are guilty or innocent, you need a lawyer who knows his way around the Redwood City justice system. Call him today and discuss your case at no charge. He will tell you if you need a theft lawyer and, if so, how he can help you.

Can I represent myself instead of hiring a theft lawyer?

You have the right to represent yourself in court and not have an attorney or have one present during proceedings. But just because you have the right to do that does not mean it’s a good idea. Did you know that even attorneys do not represent themselves? They know better than anyone the value of having the guidance of an objective legal expert who can assess a scenario without emotional complications. Given that you have been accused of doing a terrible thing, an affront to your character, very likely you’re feeling angry, confused, scared, and anxious. It is extremely difficult to develop an airtight defensive strategy without removing the emotional aspect of the nightmare you’re going through. You have a lot on the line, not just the possibility of jail time. If you are convicted of theft, you may lose your current job and have difficulty getting another good-paying job. You may lose friends over this. Some of your family members may distance themselves from you. Getting loans, acceptance into schools, loan approvals, and housing may become nearly impossible with a theft conviction on your criminal record. If you have a felony conviction for theft, you may lose your right to own firearms or to vote. The list goes on and on. Hiring a skilled theft lawyer gives you the best chance of a positive outcome in your case.

The Morales Law Firm

Your rights will be protected from the very moment that The Morales Law Firm takes your case. Having legal representation as early in the process as possible will help ensure that you will not make mistakes that could cost you. If you have not yet been charged but anticipate being charged, call us. We will review your case at no charge and provide you with an honest and objective assessment. Talk to our Redwood City, CA theft lawyer and learn how we can make a difference in the outcome of your case.

Make an Appointment with Our Redwood City, CA Theft Lawyer

If you have been charged with petty theft, do not take this charge lightly. It could result in large fines and jail time. Despite the name of the charge, it is important to have someone on your side to help defend your rights. Each theft lawyer at Morales Law Firm can help inform you of theft defenses that could be available for your case. They will also know the criminal laws applicable in San Mateo County and can help explain the full process. Contact Morales Law Firm today to schedule a consultation.

Client Review

“Chris followed my case through to the end. He was always professional and responded quickly and thoroughly to all of my questions and concerns.”
Mamie Fitzgerald