Los angeles defense attorneys

Grand Theft Lawyer in Los Angeles

Defense Backed by 33 Years Inside the DA’s Office

When the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office files a grand theft charge, the decision about how to charge it and which theory to pursue is made by prosecutors who think in very specific terms. At Stein & Markus, we have one of those former prosecutors on our defense team. Joseph A. Markus spent 33 years as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles and Orange County. That experience gives us direct insight into how the other side builds these cases and where their evidence can be challenged.

Grand theft is defined under California Penal Code section 487 as the unlawful taking of property valued above $950. It’s a wobbler offense, meaning the District Attorney has discretion to charge it as a felony or a misdemeanor depending on factors like the defendant’s prior record, the value of the property, and whether a weapon was involved. Some categories carry heightened felony exposure regardless of value. Grand theft firearm is always charged as a felony. Grand theft auto is technically a wobbler but is almost always filed as a felony by Los Angeles County prosecutors. The charge can also be pursued on multiple legal theories simultaneously: larceny, embezzlement, theft by trick, or theft by false pretenses.

Our firm brings over 75 years of combined criminal defense experience to every case, and we handle both state and federal theft charges. We’re available around the clock and offer Spanish-language services for clients who need them.

If you’re facing a grand theft charge in Los Angeles, contact Stein & Markus now at (562) 512-7030. The earlier we can intervene, the more options may be available on your behalf.

What Sets Our Grand Theft Defense Apart

Having a former LA and Orange County Deputy District Attorney on our team changes how we approach every case. We don’t guess which theory the prosecution will pursue or which evidence they’ll prioritize. We know how those decisions get made, and we build our defense strategy around that knowledge from the first conversation.

Our attorneys are seasoned trial lawyers who have resolved thousands of criminal cases across California. Firm attorneys have contributed to the formation of California criminal laws and are recognized throughout the Los Angeles legal community. Andrew Stein has defended clients facing death penalty charges, which reflects the level of high-stakes representation we bring to every matter we accept.

Grand theft convictions carry consequences that extend well beyond sentencing. We account for the full picture from the start: effects on employment, housing, professional licenses, and for non-citizens, potential immigration consequences. Representation that ignores those downstream risks isn’t complete representation.

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

Request a Consultation Fill Out the Form Below to Get Started

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Stein & Markus at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy

Penalties for Grand Theft in Los Angeles

How serious the penalties are depends heavily on how the charge is filed. A misdemeanor grand theft conviction carries up to one year in county jail and a fine up to $1,000. A felony conviction carries 16 months to three years in California state prison and a fine up to $10,000. Felony cases are heard in Los Angeles County Superior Court; misdemeanor cases may be handled by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.

Sentencing Enhancements Based on Loss Amount

California law imposes sentencing enhancements that can add significant time beyond the base sentence depending on the total loss amount:

One additional year if the loss exceeds $65,000
Two additional years if the loss exceeds $200,000
Three additional years if the loss exceeds $1.3 million
Four additional years if the loss exceeds $3.2 million

Collateral Consequences of a Conviction

The penalties don’t stop at incarceration. Grand theft is classified as a crime of moral turpitude under California law, which can give state licensing boards grounds to deny or revoke professional licenses, including contractor, nursing, and real estate licenses. Non-citizens convicted of grand theft may face potential deportation or other changes to immigration status, depending on their individual circumstances and case disposition. Restitution, repaying or returning the value of the stolen property, can serve as a mitigating factor at sentencing in Los Angeles County courts.

Understanding the full scope of what you’re facing matters before any decisions are made. Call Stein & Markus at (562) 512-7030 to speak with our team.

Defense Strategies for Grand Theft Charges

Every grand theft case turns on specific facts, and the right defense strategy depends on which theory the prosecution is pursuing and how their evidence was gathered. Because our team includes a former Los Angeles and Orange County prosecutor, we assess which approach is most likely to succeed against the specific case the DA’s office is building.

We challenge every element of the prosecution’s case, including whether law enforcement violated the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights during the investigation. Evidence obtained through an illegal search can be suppressed through a motion to exclude, which can significantly weaken the case and, in some circumstances, lead to dismissal.

Beyond suppression, the defenses we evaluate include:

Lack of specific intent: The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property. Without that intent, the charge may fail or be reduced.
Claim of right: A good-faith belief that the property was rightfully the defendant’s, even if mistaken, can be a valid defense under California law.
Consent: If the owner gave permission to take or use the property, no theft occurred.
Mistake of fact: A genuine mistake in taking the property negates the specific intent element.
Mistaken identity: Faulty eyewitness identification or surveillance footage errors can support a wrongful accusation defense.
Pre-filing intervention: Contacting our firm before charges are formally filed allows us to present mitigating information directly to the prosecutor, which can, in some cases, prevent charges from being filed.
Civil compromise: Under California Penal Code sections 1377 and 1378, courts may dismiss certain misdemeanor grand theft charges when the victim acknowledges full restitution and agrees to the dismissal.
Proposition 47 petition: Individuals with prior felony theft convictions who meet eligibility requirements may petition to have those convictions reduced to misdemeanors.

Continue Reading Read Less

How We Handle Grand Theft Cases in Los Angeles

No two grand theft cases are identical. We tailor our strategy to each client’s specific circumstances, whether the charge stems from an isolated incident, involves aggravating factors, or carries implications tied to organized activity. Our decades working within the Los Angeles criminal justice system inform how we anticipate prosecution tactics and prepare counterarguments for the courts here. Immigration status, professional licensing, and potential civil liability are part of what we consider from the beginning, not afterthoughts added at the end of a case.

Talk to a Los Angeles Grand Theft Attorney Today

The earlier we can engage with your case, the more tools may be available, including the possibility of pre-filing intervention before charges are ever formally entered. Stein & Markus is available 24/7 by phone and online, and we offer Spanish-language services for clients who prefer them.

Call Stein & Markus at (562) 512-7030 to discuss your grand theft case in Los Angeles. We’re ready to hear what happened and can tell you where you stand.

Grand Theft & Related Charges in Los Angeles

A grand theft allegation rarely exists in isolation. Prosecutors in Los Angeles County frequently evaluate the same set of facts for multiple charges, and understanding how PC 487 connects to related offenses is essential to building an effective defense. Our experience on both sides of these cases means we can assess whether a charge may escalate or whether a more serious allegation can be negotiated down.

These are the charges most commonly connected to a grand theft case:

Robbery (PC 211): Grand theft can escalate to robbery if force or fear was used during the taking. Robbery carries significantly heavier penalties and counts as a strike under California’s Three Strikes law.
Burglary (PC 459): Prosecutors may add or substitute a burglary charge if the defendant entered a structure intending to commit theft, even if the theft itself wasn’t completed.
Grand theft auto (PC 487(d)(1)): When the stolen property is a vehicle, this specific charge applies and is almost always filed as a felony regardless of the vehicle’s value.
Embezzlement: Theft of property entrusted to the defendant, such as by an employer, can be charged as grand theft when the amount exceeds $950.
Receiving stolen property (PC 496): A separate charge for individuals who accept or purchase property they know to be stolen.
Conspiracy (PC 182): When others were involved in planning the offense, prosecutors may add a conspiracy charge alongside the theft allegation.

Stein & Markus handles the full range of theft crimes and the charges that accompany them. If your situation involves any of these connected allegations, our team can evaluate the complete picture and identify where the defense has the strongest ground.

Continue Reading Read Less

Why Choose Stein & Markus?

What Makes Us Different

Work with a Former Prosecutor
Our prosecutor turned defense attorney is ready to protect you!
Hablamos Español
Work with a criminal defense attorney who speaks your language.
24/7 Help Available
Whenever you need our lawyers, we're here to help you.

Our Satisfied Clients Read What They Say About Us

"Amazing work, I wouldn’t trust anyone else."
- Suzi S.

All Reviews