Orange County Shoplifting Defense Attorney

California Theft Criminal Defense Lawyer

Shoplifting is usually considered the most minor of theft crimes that a person can be accused of. Typically, shoplifting is charged as petty theft (where the item or items stolen were worth $400 or less). With the help of an experienced attorney, you may be able to receive only fines and informal probation for this offense. Additionally, a skilled defense attorney may be able to help you have this charge reduced to an infraction, which will not appear on your criminal record.

Often, shoplifting charges are backed by strong physical evidence, usually in the form of video surveillance. Additionally, witness testimony may be used by the prosecution to prove that you committed this crime. Fortunately, an experienced defense lawyer may still be able to help you secure alternative sentencing or lessened charges. Particularly when your lawyer has a good working relationship with Orange County prosecutors and judges, he or she will be able to negotiate a fair sentence or rehabilitation program that will work in your favor.

As a lifetime Orange County resident and a lawyer who has been practicing criminal defense for over 25 years, I have the experience and connections to provide my clients with the best defense possible. I strive to reach a positive outcome for each case I take on, and I have handled over 2,000 individual cases in my career. Of these, I have been able to secure over 1,000 dismissed charges.

Penalties for Shoplifting in California

A first conviction for shoplifting is a misdemeanor offense, and this may even be able to be reduced to an infraction, which will mean you will have no criminal record of this offense.  Your lawyer will need to work hard to secure a lessened charge and minimum penalties, even if this is a first offense. If this is a second or subsequent offense, you may face felony charges (felony petty theft, or petty theft with a prior) and face a county jail sentence of 1 year or a state prison sentence of 16 months.

As a criminal defense lawyer, I take on shoplifting cases throughout Tustin, Irvine, Anaheim, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Westminster and Newport Beach in Orange County, California.

Contact Orange County shoplifting attorney Barney B. Gibbs today!