Criminal Defense Attorneys Fight Theft Charges

Anytime you are arrested, it is tense and frightening. It doesn't matter if it is your first time (although this is incredibly scary and stressful) or not. With lights, weapons, and handcuffs, Law Enforcement can be very intimidating and downright disturbing. Suppose you have been arrested and are facing criminal theft charges. In that case, it is in your best interest to find a reputable lawyer in your area who knows the courts, processes, and how to best approach the specific details of your case. Do not wait and contact a local criminal defense attorney today for a free quote and helpful information. It is also essential to restrain from sharing too much information with the police or family and friends using the public telephone. An experienced attorney can shed more light on this, but when it comes to sharing details of the case following an arrest, the motto is "less is more." There are excellent lawyers with experience in theft and other criminal cases. You deserve the best representation available so you can get the best outcome possible for your case.

Once you have been arrested, it can not only affect your family life and friends, but it will often result in a negative impact on the community. It is crucial to seek counsel to ensure your theft case is presented in the best light, with all the evidence collected that can help mitigate the charges against you. Your defense attorney will work diligently to fight charges and get you the minimum penalties possible.

Types of Theft in California

In California, the different types of theft are petty theft, burglary, robbery, embezzlement, grand theft, grand theft auto, and receiving stolen property. If you were caught taking something from a store valued up to $950, this is petty theft and a misdemeanor unless there are previous charges. Grand theft is the stealing of property valued at greater than $950. Grand theft may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the details of the case and the history of the suspect. Burglary is when a building or dwelling in entered with the intent to steal. If the burglary takes place in a home, this can become a strike in California. Robbery is the use of violence or force to obtain someone else’s possessions. Embezzlement is most often when employees steal internally or take money for financial gain. Grand theft auto is when a vehicle, regardless of the value, is stolen.

There are many factors in how these theft charges are handled. History of theft or criminal charges may result in the prosecution asking for harsher penalties. A criminal defense attorney, experience in your area, can help fight the charges better than anyone. In these stressful times, it is a relief to speak with a calm professional who has the experience and has successfully handled these cases before. These lawyers know what to ask, what details to gather, and precisely what questions to ask—having someone of high caliber at your side saves time and energy and makes the entire experience less stressful.

Pleading the Fifth

This is about exercising your Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions that could be used against you in court. It is highly recommended to exercise your constitutional rights when being questioned by police. It is also in your best interest to show respect when speaking to law enforcement. Please remember that you do not have to provide any information that may further incriminate you. One mistake that is commonly made is suspects trying to talk and explain the situation, and this can cause more damage. If you shared information with the police, seek legal counsel immediately and tell them anything you said. It does not matter if this is the first time you have been arrested or experienced this unpleasantry before. In either case, you should contact a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to help fight any charges of theft against you.

Avoiding Criminal Charges

If you are convicted of theft crimes, this will go on your permanent record. Having a criminal record can make life much more difficult. Sometimes it means loss of work, housing, and strained relationships. Depending on the severity of the conviction, getting new employment, finding somewhere to live, and mending relationships are exceptionally challenging. In these cases, finding the best representation may mean a lighter sentence, modified and reduced penalties, or dismissal of charges altogether. An experienced criminal defense attorney will investigate to ensure any mistakes the police made during the arrest or while obtaining evidence are presented to the courts. If your attorney can show this, the evidence against you may not be admissible. Please do not leave it to chance and call a reputable professional criminal defense attorney today. If you are facing charges in San Diego County, contact Joni Eisenstein, who has years of experience representing and successfully fighting for individuals arrested for theft.