A practical guide to petty theft, shoplifting, and grand theft cases from Hesperia, Apple Valley, Adelanto, and Victorville: the citation, the Victorville courthouse arraignment, Proposition 47 and Proposition 36, diversion, and how to protect your record.

Forgery under Penal Code section 470 is a wobbler in California. This guide covers the elements the prosecutor must prove, the Proposition 47 $950 rule, the defenses that work, and what a conviction means for your record, your job, and your immigration status.

Embezzlement under Penal Code section 503 is theft by someone who was trusted with the property. Learn the elements, the $950 felony line, defenses, penalties, and what employers and employees should expect in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County courts.

Vehicle Code 10851 covers far more than stealing cars. Borrowing a friend's car past the agreed time, driving a car someone else stole, or keeping a rental too long can all be charged. Here is what the prosecutor must prove, the Proposition 47 misdemeanor rule, and the defenses that work.

Restitution is often the most expensive part of a California criminal case. Here is how victim restitution and the restitution fine work under Penal Code section 1202.4, how the amount is set at a restitution hearing, what happens if you cannot pay, and how restitution shapes plea negotiations in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Los Angeles County courts.

Penal Code 368 makes physical, emotional, and financial abuse of an elder or dependent adult a crime, often a wobbler. Here is what the DA must prove and how these cases are defended.

Penal Code 496 makes it a crime to buy, receive, conceal, or withhold property you know was stolen. Here is what the prosecutor must prove, the defenses that work, and what a conviction means.

Identity theft under Penal Code 530.5 can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. A California criminal defense lawyer explains what the prosecutor must prove, the defenses that work, and what a conviction costs.

Robbery under Penal Code 211 is a serious and violent felony and a strike. Learn the six elements the prosecutor must prove, how shoplifting becomes an Estes robbery, the defenses that work, and the real penalty exposure.

Grand theft under Penal Code section 487 can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Here is what the prosecutor must prove, how the $950 threshold works, the defenses that win, and what a conviction costs.

A practical guide to theft and shoplifting cases at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach: which cases go there, what happens at arraignment, how Orange County prosecutors make offers, and how diversion and dismissal work.

Burglary under Penal Code 459 is entering a building, room, or locked car with intent to commit theft or a felony. Here is what must be proved, the degrees, the penalties, and the defenses.

Caught shoplifting in California? Here is what the prosecutor must prove under Penal Code sections 459.5, 484, and 488, the realistic penalties, how misdemeanor diversion and civil compromise work, the merchant's civil demand letter, and the defenses that actually get cases dismissed in Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange County courts.