Santa Barbara Grand Theft Attorney
Seek Legal Counsel from Our Santa Barbara Criminal Defense Attorneys
When theft involves stolen property that is valued at over $950, the crime can be considered as grand theft. A conviction for this kind of theft crime can result in extensive jail time, expensive fines, and a permanent mark on your criminal record.
If you were arrested and charged with grand theft in California, our Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyers can protect your rights, reputation, and freedom. With over 40 years of experience, we have a thorough understanding of state theft laws and court processes to help you obtain the most favorable outcome.
Grand Theft Penalties
In most cases, grand theft is a wobbler, meaning that the prosecution may decide whether to charge the defendant with either a misdemeanor or a felony. While the maximum sentence for a misdemeanor is up to one year, a felony grand theft conviction is punishable by a prison sentence of 16 months, two years, or three years.
The prosecution will base their decision to charge you with either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances of the case and the defendant’s criminal history. Also, you can receive an additional and consecutive prison sentence if the value of the property the defendant stole is extremely high.
The potential sentence enhancements for felony grand theft include:
- Property worth more than $65,000 – One additional year in prison
- Property worth more than $200,000 – Two additional years in prison
- Property worth more than $1,300,000 – Three additional years in prison
- Property worth more than $3,200,000 – Four additional years in prison
Get a free criminal consultation Today
At Appel & Morse, we have what it takes to either get your charges reduced or your case dismissed entirely. As former prosecutors, our Santa Barbara criminal defense lawyers know how the prosecution will approach your case and can provide a relentless defense strategy just for you.
Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation immediately.
At Appel & Morse, we work to ensure our clients understand what is happening with their cases and how to best defend their interests. Our mission is to obtain the best results based on a true understanding of each client's unique circumstances.
