Los Angeles Grand Theft Lawyer

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Charged with Grand Theft in Los Angeles? The Filing Decision Matters More Than You Think

Grand theft under Penal Code 487 PC is a wobbler — the District Attorney decides whether to file it as a misdemeanor or a felony and that decision is made before you ever appear in court. A misdemeanor carries up to one year in county jail. A felony carries up to three years in state prison plus sentence enhancements that can add years when the value of the property crosses specific thresholds. How the case is filed and whether it is challenged from the start determines everything. At The Law Offices of Arash Hashemi our criminal defense attorney has spent over 20 years defending clients against grand theft and theft-related felony charges throughout Los Angeles County. Call (310) 448-1529 or contact our office today for a free confidential consultation.

Grand Theft in California — What the Charge Covers

Grand theft under PC 487 occurs when someone unlawfully takes property belonging to another person valued at more than $950 with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. The $950 threshold is the most common basis for the charge but it is not the only one. Certain property is always grand theft regardless of value:

  • Automobiles: vehicle theft is always grand theft under PC 487(d)(1) regardless of the car’s value
  • Firearms: theft of any firearm is always grand theft under PC 487(d)(2) and carries enhanced sentencing
  • Property taken directly from a person: pickpocketing and purse snatching qualify as grand theft from a person under PC 487(c) regardless of value

The most frequently charged subsection is PC 487(a) which covers theft of money or property exceeding $950 in value. Grand theft by fraud, grand theft by embezzlement, and grand theft from a business all fall under this section.

Grand Theft Penalties — Misdemeanor vs. Felony

Because grand theft is a wobbler the penalties vary significantly depending on how the charge is filed:

  • Misdemeanor: up to one year in county jail and fines up to $1,000
  • Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in state prison and fines up to $10,000
  • Mandatory restitution to the victim in all cases

When the value of the stolen property crosses specific thresholds the base felony sentence increases by additional consecutive terms. One additional year when the value exceeds $65,000. Two years when it exceeds $200,000. Three years when it exceeds $1,300,000. Four years when it exceeds $3,200,000. These enhancements apply regardless of prior criminal history and can turn a straightforward theft case into years of additional exposure.

Beyond the sentence a grand theft conviction carries permanent consequences. It appears on background checks. It affects employment in financial services, healthcare, government, and any role involving access to property or money. It can result in the suspension or revocation of professional licenses. For non-citizens it is classified as a crime involving moral turpitude with serious immigration consequences including deportation.

How Our Grand Theft Lawyer Defends Your Case

Pre-Filing Intervention

The most important phase of a grand theft defense is often before any charges are formally filed. When our firm gets involved during the investigation or immediately after arrest we can present evidence to prosecutors, provide context for the alleged conduct, and argue for misdemeanor treatment or no filing at all. The wobbler nature of grand theft means the filing decision is negotiable — and that negotiation only happens before arraignment.

Challenging the Value of the Property

The $950 threshold determines whether the charge is grand theft or petty theft and whether sentencing enhancements apply. Our firm challenges the prosecution’s valuation with independent appraisals and challenges the methodology used to establish value. When the property value cannot be reliably established above the threshold the charge must be reduced to petty theft with substantially lower sentencing exposure.

Lack of Intent and Claim of Right

Grand theft requires specific intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property. A person who takes property under a genuine belief they have a legal right to it cannot be convicted of theft even if that belief was mistaken. When an ownership dispute, a debt, or a prior arrangement underlies the taking our firm presents the claim of right defense through documentation and the full context of the parties’ relationship.

Suppression and Evidence Challenges

Many grand theft cases are built on surveillance footage, financial records, and witness accounts that are subject to challenge. When evidence was obtained through an unlawful search or without proper legal authority our firm files suppression motions. When the identification or financial evidence is circumstantial and ambiguous we challenge sufficiency directly and hold the prosecution to their full burden at every stage.

Contact a Los Angeles Grand Theft Lawyer Today

If you have been charged with grand theft in Los Angeles the decisions made in the earliest stages of your case determine whether you face a misdemeanor or a felony, whether the charge can be reduced or dismissed, and what the long-term consequences will be for your record and career. With over 20 years of experience defending clients against grand theft and theft-related charges throughout Los Angeles County Attorney Hashemi knows how to fight these cases from the first day. Contact our office today for a free confidential consultation.

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We are conveniently located in the Westside Towers serving clients facing grand theft and theft-related charges across Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, the San Fernando Valley, Long Beach, and all surrounding communities. Your defense starts the moment you call.