Over the last five years, more than 10 million people have been caught shoplifting, or stealing from a store. Most shoplifting crimes committed by both adults and juvenile offenders are not premeditated or planned in advance. In California, shoplifting can be charged as petty theft or grand theft, depending upon the value of the stolen property.
Petty Theft is charged when the value of stolen goods is over $50 and less than $400. This is also charged as a second-degree theft, a misdemeanor, which can be punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in county jail, and restitution. Grand Theft is charged when the value of stolen goods is more than $400. This is also charged as a first-degree theft, a felony, which can be punishable by up to 1 year in county jail or state prison and restitution.
Premeditated larceny, or theft, committed in a merchant establishment, such as a department store, convenience store, gas station, grocery store or market, or other commercial establishment is considered Commercial Burglary. When an individual enters any shop, warehouse, or store with the specific intent to commit grand theft or petty theft, or to commit any felony, they have committed burglary (Penal Code 459). In such cases, the State must prove premeditated intent to convict an individual of commercial burglary. If you have been arrested, charged, and convicted of Shoplifting or Commercial Burglary as a felony or misdemeanor, either as an adult or juvenile offender our attorneys could help. A qualified Orange County shoplifting expungement lawyer may be able to help you seal or clear your criminal record.
You may qualify for a criminal records expungement if you were charged with a misdemeanor of petty theft or commercial burglary as an adult or in a California Juvenile court, and:
The same rules apply to a felony grand theft charge as long as you were granted probation. If you were convicted of a felony with probation granted, it may be possible to have the felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor, which can then be sealed or cleared from your criminal record. If you are currently serving a probation sentence, an experienced Expungement attorney may be able to help to you obtain an early termination of probation.
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. Our Orange County attorneys could review a shoplifting case and determine if it is eligible for expungement.
Our team has been defending clients throughout Southern California for nearly a decade and has successfully handled petty theft and commercial burglary expungement cases. To determine if you qualify for an expungement of a shoplifting or commercial burglary conviction, contact our firm. One of our Orange County shoplifting expungement lawyers could quickly review your case and determine if we can o 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.
(888) 444-7210