Is a petty theft/shoplifting charge a big deal?

November 17, 2008

Don’t be fooled by the name of the crime - “petty” theft. It is a misdemeanor that carries up to six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.

But there’s more… If you are convicted of any theft offense - petty theft, burglary, auto theft or grand theft to name a few, that conviction can be used against you in the future. Under Penal Code section 666, if you are convicted of a theft offense and serve one day in jail, then are charged with another theft theft in the future it can potentially be filed as a felony. (Edited because the law changed from one prior theft to three prior theft offenses in order to trigger the felony charge of Penal Code section 666.) For example, if you were arrested for shoplifting and are convicted of misdemeanor petty theft, then ten years later, you are arrested for any theft, the new theft can be filed as a felony. Even if the new theft was for something valued at a dollar, it can still be a felony and you could face up to three years in state prison.

In addition to the potential to have a theft conviction used against you in the future, it can also have other consequences. Theft offenses are crimes of “moral turpitude” that must be disclosed in job applications, certain licensing applications and student loan applications.

If you or a loved one has been accused of any theft offense, whether petty theft or something more serious, you need aggressive representation. Contact me for a consultation about your case.

6 Trackbacks

What’s the difference between grand theft and petty theft? - February 24, 2011 at 4:46 pm

[...] seriously. Some people think to themselves, “I just got probation and a fine, so it’s no big deal.” That may be true in the short term, but a theft conviction stays with you forever. It can [...]
FAQ’s – Theft & Shoplifting in Orange County - February 24, 2011 at 4:48 pm

[...] given to the police and other defenses in your case may be available. Because theft offenses carry potentials consequences on your future, they deserve to be fought [...]
Theft Crimes in Orange County , CA - February 24, 2011 at 4:54 pm

[...] Is a petty theft/shoplifting chage a big deal? [...]
Difference between grand theft and petty theft - Orange County, CA | Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney - Law Office of Joe Dane - March 8, 2011 at 5:59 am

[...] seriously. Some people think to themselves, “I just got probation and a fine, so it’s no big deal.” That may be true in the short term, but a theft conviction stays with you forever. It [...]
Theft & Shoplifting - FAQ (Orange County theft defense) | Orange County Criminal Defense Attorney - Law Office of Joe Dane - March 23, 2011 at 5:11 am

[...] to the police and other defenses in your case may be available. Because theft offenses carry potentials consequences on your future, they deserve to be fought [...]
Theft & Shoplifting – FAQ (Orange County theft defense) - June 3, 2011 at 5:47 pm

[...] to the police and other defenses in your case may be available. Because theft offenses carry potentials consequences on your future, they deserve to be fought [...]

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