Santa Barbara Petty Theft Lawyer
Theft Charges Reduced or Dismissed
Our knowledgeable and highly successful criminal defense law firm has the resources and the experience to launch a well-organized and effective defense against any theft charges that you may be facing, including petty theft. With over 50 years of combined experience, we are very familiar with the theft laws of California and can often obtain a reduction in charges or complete dismissal, depending on the circumstances. If you have been charged with petty theft, get in touch with a Santa Barbara criminal defense attorney at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP as soon as possible so that we can review the charges against you and help you decide in which direction to go.
Petty Theft Attorney in Santa Barbara Area
Under California's Penal Code 484 and 488, petty theft is defined as the unlawful taking of property valued at under $400. Although the offense is classified as a misdemeanor, a second offense can be charged as a felony under the law. Petty theft is most often based on a shoplifting offense that can be committed in one of several ways, including:
- Larceny (usually shoplifting)
- Trickery, e.g., changing price tags
- Embezzlement
- False pretenses