To prove the crime of theft, the prosecution must establish that the accused took possession of the property owned by someone else without the owner’s consent and that when the accused took the property, he/she intended to deprive the owner of it permanently or to remove it from the owner’s possession for a period of time that deprived the owner of a major portion of the value or enjoyment of the property and that the accused moved the property, even a small distance, and kept it for any period of time, however brief. A theft can be grand theft or petty theft. Grand theft occurs if the stolen property was worth more than $950.00. If the value of the property is below $950.00, it is petty theft.. However, if the property is taken from the person it is considered grand theft no matter how much the property is worth. Theft of an automobile or a firearm is also categorized as grand theft.

There are other forms of theft such as theft by false pretenses; theft by fraud or deceit or theft by embezzlement.

Often, whether the accused is guilty of theft is a complicated factual and legal issue, which requires an experienced attorney such as H.A. Sala to analyze, investigate and launch a vigorous defense.

If you are charged with theft, contact the Law Offices of H.A. Sala.