Shoplifting / Theft / Larceny

Of all the crimes prosecuted in California, theft and shoplifting are the most common. Beahm Law successfully defends charges of petty theft and grand theft.

Petty theft involves taking property valued at under $400. A conviction for misdemeanor petty theft, means a sentence of up to 6 months in jail and fines ranging from $50-$1,000.

If the amount you are accused of stealing is under $50, the prosecution may choose to charge you with an infraction. Typically the decision depends upon whether you have prior theft convictions. The penalty for infraction petty theft is a fine of $250 or less.

Grand theft is the theft of more than $400 and can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The prosecution generally makes its decision based upon whether you have prior theft convictions. Grand theft is punishable by fines and up to one year in jail or state prison.

Regardless of the kind of theft you are charged with, Beahm Law can aggressively defend you. These cases are often full of holes and opportunities for a skilled attorney to use to your advantage. Beahm Law can get the charge against you reduced, dropped, take the case to trial, or get you into a diversion program.

After being arrested for shoplifting, a number of our clients have received demand letters from private attorneys seeking payment of damages. Often clients mistakenly assume that if they pay their case will go away and if they do not they will be sued. However, these demand letters are often empty threats. Beahm Law has yet to have a single client actually sued for ignoring the letters. If you recieve such a letter contact us and we can advise you on how to proceed.