Ventura Theft Crimes Defense Attorney

Experienced Santa Barbara Defender for Theft Charges

In California, if a person knowingly takes another person’s property, they can be charged with a theft crime. Various types of theft offenses exist, and each carries harsh conviction penalties, which can include incarceration and steep fines. If you’ve been charged, your rights, freedom, reputation, and future are at stake. The most effective way to fight the criminal accusations made against you and minimize the consequences of being found guilty is to retain the services of an experienced attorney.

For more than a decade, our lawyer, Christopher P. Welch, has been aggressively defending the rights of individuals accused of theft-related offenses in Ventura. We are prepared to do the same for you.

If you are facing a criminal charge for any of the following, contact the Law Office of Christopher P. Welch today:

• Burglary
• Robbery
• Embezzlement
• Forgery
• Identity theft
• Credit card fraud

Schedule Your Consultation Today by calling us at (805) 467-6542.

Defend Against Burglary and Robbery Charges in California

The law defines burglary as breaking and entering into a private home or a place of business. Burglary offenses can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the events involved and the discretion of the District Attorney. A person can only be charged with burglary if it can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that they intended to commit a crime while inside the house, business, or motor vehicle.

The law defines robbery as an act that uses force, violence, or assault on the individual from whom the money, property, or personal goods were stolen. As a felony offense, robbery can result in up to 15 years in prison. If a weapon was involved in the commission of the crime, a higher sentence could be imposed.

Understanding Petit Theft vs. Grand Theft Charges

Theft crimes are broken down into two categories:

• Petit theft crimes: Charged when the stolen property’s value was no more than $300.
• Grand theft crimes: Charged when the stolen property’s value was more than $300.

Whether you've been accused of petit theft or grand theft, you will need a defense lawyer who can extensively research the facts of your case and develop a solid legal strategy. Mr. Welch has experience doing exactly this for theft crime cases of every degree.

Common Questions About Theft Offenses Answered

Take a look at some answers to commonly asked questions below:

What are possible strategies for theft defense?

To defend against theft charges, we can try to refute the basic elements needed for the prosecution's case.

The elements of a theft crime include:

1. Taking something that belonged to someone else.
2. Having complete control over the stolen item.
3. Moving the item.

To be able to convict you, the prosecutor must show that, without a doubt, you intended to steal or defraud the victim. There are several ways to refute that on the grounds of impairment by drugs or alcohol, a compromised mental state, or faulty evidence. Every theft crime case is unique, which means the facts must be thoroughly reviewed to develop a legal strategy for each individual.

Does the item that I was accused of stealing have to be tangible?

No. The item can also be intangible, like data or information; it is anything that leads to personal gain. Theft of data or information is actually very serious and can fall under federal jurisdiction.

If you’ve been accused of a theft crime, call Law Office of Christopher P. Welch at (805) 467-6542 or submit an online contact form to schedule your consultation.