Orange County Petty Theft Expungement Lawyer

Petty theft is unlawfully taking property from another individual or merchant (shoplifting) that is valued under $400, with the intent of never returning that property. A first offense of petty theft of property over $50 in value, is charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, 6 months in county jail, or both, and possibly restitution. Petty theft of items valued at less than $50 may be charged as a misdemeanor or infraction.

Petty theft, or shoplifting, is considered a crime of “moral turpitude” and can have far-reaching consequences to your livelihood, such as interfering with your ability to obtain employment or housing of your choice, to obtain some professional licenses, and can generally be an embarrassment to you and your family.

If you have been convicted of petty theft or shoplifting, whether you were arrested as an adult or juvenile offender, an experienced Orange County petty theft expungement lawyer can provide you the legal help you need to have your criminal record expunged, which is the legal process by which your criminal record is sealed or cleared of those charges.

Eligibility for Petty Theft Charges to be Expunged

Our Orange County lawyers have many years of experience handling petty theft expungement cases. You may qualify for a criminal records expungement if you were charged with a misdemeanor of petty theft and you:

• Successfully completed your probation sentence, or had no probation requirements and it has been at least 365 days since your plea of guilty was entered.

• All of your court-mandated fines, fees, and restitutions have been paid.

An important benefit of having your criminal record cleared of a shoplifting or commercial burglary conviction is that you can honestly state during job interviews or on employment applications for private companies that you have no criminal convictions. However, it’s important to note, if you do clear your record of a petty theft conviction and are arrested again for petty theft or shoplifting, or any other theft-related offense, the expungement will not keep you from being charged with a felony petty theft, or theft with a prior.

Contact an Orange County Petty Theft Expungement Attorney

To determine if you qualify for an expungement of a shoplifting or petty theft conviction, simply call our office. One of our knowledgeable Orange County petty theft expungement lawyers could quickly review your case and determine if we can clear or seal your criminal record. Our experienced attorneys are available to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your first consultation is free.