There are several laws in California designed to protect property and belongings. Theft and property crimes are common. According to FBI statistics, there are about one million property and theft crimes per year in California.[1] Larceny and theft account for about two-thirds of all crime in the United States.[2] A person who is convicted of a theft or property crime in California can face consequences ranging from a fine to multiple years in prison. Common theft and property crimes in California include:
- Petty Theft (Penal Code section 488)
- Burglary (Penal Code 459)
- Shoplifting (Penal Code section 459.5)
- Grand Theft (Penal Code section 487)
- Vandalism (Penal Code section 594)
Many of these crimes can be charged on very similar facts. The nuances of a case can determine whether a crime should be shoplifting or burglary.
The lawyers at the Virga Law Firm are experienced in defending all California theft and property crimes.
[1] http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/tables/10tbl04.xls
[2] http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2010/crime-in-the-u.s.-2010/property-crime
