If you have been charged with grand theft or petty theft in Riverside, our knowledgeable theft attorneys – experienced in the workings and procedures of the Riverside local courts – provide you an overview of the punishment for petty theft that you are facing in Riverside.

Under California Penal Code section 488, any theft that is not considered grand theft is charged as petty theft. Under Penal Code section 487, grand theft is committed when the value of the property taken is over $950. Grand theft also occurs in several other situations, including if the property is taken from the clothing or body of another person. If you have been charged with theft of property that has a value less than $950, and it does not otherwise qualify as grand theft, it will be considered petty theft.

Under Penal Code section 490, the punishment you are facing for petty theft is imprisonment in the Riverside county jail for no more than six months, a fine not exceeding $1,000, or both. If you have not been charged with any other prior theft-related crimes and the value of the property stolen is less than $50, your Riverside theft attorney at Wallin & Klarich may assist you to reduce the charge to an infraction. See California Penal Code 490.1(a). If the petty theft charge is reduced to an infraction the punishment is a maximum fine of $250.

If you have been convicted three or more times of petty theft, grand theft, burglary or robbery, your petty theft charge can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony. A misdemeanor petty theft carries a punishment of up to a year in county jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. Felony petty theft is sentenced by imprisonment for a maximum of three years and a fine up to $10,000.

If you have been convicted of theft in Riverside, it is important that you contact a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney at Wallin & Klarich. With offices in Riverside, Orange County, San Bernardino, Victorville, Ventura, Los Angeles, San Diego and West Covina, the attorneys at Wallin & Klarich have over 30 years of experience defending clients accused of theft.

We will get through this together. Call Wallin & Klarich today at 1-888-280-6839. We will be there when you call.