Theft Attorney in Los Angeles

Serving Clients Throughout Los Angeles County with Premier Theft Defense

Alleged theft crimes are often the result of poor decisions or may be committed out of desperation to make ends meet. Others facing theft charges are innocent people wrongly accused based on faulty evidence. 

Whatever the reason behind your theft charges, you deserve someone on your side whose sole purpose is to ensure your constitutional rights are upheld, including the right to remain silent, the right to legal counsel, due process, and fair treatment under the law. You also want someone who can protect you against aggressive prosecution and act as your trusted theft lawyer in Los Angeles throughout the process.

Being arrested and charged with any type of theft offense is a serious matter that can change your life for years to come. Such charges can result in significant legal and social consequences that may negatively impact your reputation, future, and freedom, making early intervention by an experienced theft attorney in Los Angeles even more critical.

At Stein & Markus, we provide strategic defense for clients accused of all types of state and federal theft crimes. Our representation is holistic, meaning we consider not only the criminal charges but also the effect a conviction could have on your future employment, housing opportunities, and other important benefits. As recognized theft lawyers Los Angeles trusts, we believe our duty is to help you fight these charges and to do everything possible to prevent a mistake from jeopardizing your future.

We offer a free initial consultation with a Los Angeles theft lawyer regarding your case. Book your appointment by contacting a team member online or by phone at (562) 512-7030. Hablamos español.

Understanding the Impact of Charges in Los Angeles with a Theft Attorney

Theft crimes—whether nonviolent, such as white collar or fraud charges, or other types—often involve alleged dishonesty. These are commonly considered crimes of moral turpitude in California, painting individuals as deceitful and untrustworthy. Having a qualified theft lawyer in Los Angeles on your side ensures your rights and future are protected through every stage of the process.

Our Comprehensive Defense for All Theft Crime Accusations in California

Our Southern California law firm represents clients facing any type of theft charge, including serious felonies. If you need a theft lawyer Los Angeles trusts to defend theft accusations, Stein & Markus is here for you.

Theft attorneys in Los Angeles handle cases such as:

• Auto Theft: Typically charged as grand theft auto, often a felony.
• Larceny: Includes grand theft for property valued over $950 and petty theft for property valued at $950 or less.
• Grand Theft of a Firearm: Stealing any firearm is charged as grand theft, regardless of the gun’s value.
• Burglary: Involves entering a structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft.
• Embezzlement: Involves stealing or misappropriating funds entrusted to you, often by an employer.
• Robbery: Includes the use of violence or threats of violence to take property from someone.
• Receipt of Stolen Property: Receiving or purchasing property you know or should know was stolen.
• Shoplifting: Is the act of entering a commercial establishment with the intent to steal property worth $950 or less.
• Fraud: Generally considered a theft crime in which deceit, misrepresentations, or falsehoods are used against others for financial gain or benefit. We handle a wide range of fraud cases, from credit card and tax fraud to insurance, mortgage, and internet scams.

Key Elements the Prosecution Must Prove for Theft

To secure a conviction for a theft crime, the prosecution must prove several key elements beyond a reasonable doubt. The core element of most theft charges is intent. 

A savvy Los Angeles theft crimes attorney will often focus on challenging this element. The prosecution must prove that you:

• Took possession of property owned by someone else.
• Took the property without the owner's consent.
• Moved the property, however slightly.
• Intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property, or to keep it for so long that the owner would lose a major portion of its value or enjoyment.

In many cases, the prosecution's evidence regarding intent is circumstantial. It's not uncommon for an accusation to stem from a simple misunderstanding—for instance, accidentally walking out of a store with an item you intended to purchase, or borrowing something you genuinely believed you had a right to take. Our firm will work to expose the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case by highlighting any lack of intent, which can be a powerful defense.