Shoplifting Attorney in Los Angeles
Trust Proven Legal Allies With Shoplifting Charges in Los Angeles
Being accused of shoplifting in Los Angeles carries serious risks for your freedom, your future, and your reputation. When you choose to work with a shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles from Stein & Markus, you gain immediate access to over 75 years of combined experience in shoplifting criminal defense.
Los Angeles is home to a wide range of retail environments, each with its own approach to loss prevention, prosecution, and diversion options. Major shopping centers in Hollywood or Beverly Hills may have robust surveillance and security practices, while smaller shops across the Valley follow different procedures.
Having a shoplifting criminal attorney in Los Angeles who understands how local courts and agencies approach shoplifting can make a significant difference. Our team—including a former Los Angeles prosecutor—applies strategic case analysis to every shoplifting case, examining the details and challenging the prosecution to pursue outcomes that safeguard your wellbeing and record.
Facing a shoplifting charge? We are former prosecutors who offer free consultations and bilingual services. Call (562) 512-7030 or contact us online to speak with a shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles today. We are available 24/7.
Understanding Shoplifting Charges & Consequences in Los Angeles
In California, the crime of shoplifting is legally defined under the state's larceny statutes, primarily California Penal Code § 459.5. The law states that a person commits the offense of shoplifting when they enter a commercial establishment with the intent to commit larceny, and the value of the property taken or intended to be taken is $950 or less.
If the value of the property is greater than $950, the offense is charged as grand theft, which is a more serious felony. The key element in a shoplifting case is the intent to steal. The state does not need to prove that you left the store with the merchandise; the act of entering a store with the intent to steal is often enough to secure a charge.
Because Los Angeles is home to an array of retail settings—from luxury retailers in Beverly Hills to local markets throughout the city—law enforcement and prosecutors take theft crimes seriously. When shoplifting charges involve repeat offenses, group activity, or larger values, local authorities may escalate the case or attach additional charges like burglary or conspiracy.
As your shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles, we look for procedural missteps or questionable evidence to challenge the charges.
Key Elements the Prosecution Must Prove
To secure a conviction for shoplifting, the prosecution must prove each of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- Entry into a Commercial Establishment: The state must prove that you entered a commercial establishment during regular business hours.
- Intent to Steal: This is the most crucial element. The state must prove that you had the specific intent to steal property worth $950 or less at the moment you entered the establishment. This element is often inferred from circumstantial evidence, such as hiding an item in a purse or a coat. A strategic Los Angeles shoplifting lawyer can challenge this inference.
The prosecution's case often relies on the testimony of loss prevention officers and surveillance footage. As a seasoned shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles, we will challenge the government's evidence at every turn, scrutinizing the methods used to collect and analyze the evidence and questioning the credibility of their witnesses.
Why Choose Our Shoplifting Criminal Defense Team in Los Angeles
Our attorneys have defended countless shoplifting cases across Los Angeles, managing everything from minor retail theft charges to more serious felony shoplifting allegations.
Here’s why so many trust their cases to our shoplifting criminal lawyer team in Los Angeles:
- Former Prosecutor Advantage: With over three decades as a former L.A. prosecutor, our team brings unique insight into how theft crimes are investigated and prosecuted locally.
- Thorough Case Assessment: As your shoplifting lawyer in Los Angeles, we dig into every detail of your arrest, the evidence against you, and every interaction you’ve had with loss prevention or law enforcement.
- Full-Service Representation: We advocate for clients in both state and federal courts throughout Southern California, so no matter where your case is heard in L.A. County, a skilled shoplifting criminal lawyer is on your side.
- Direct, Accessible Communication: Responsive and straightforward, we are available around the clock and treat every client with the respect and attention we would give family.
- Negotiators Committed to Results: By leveraging our reputation and experience in Los Angeles shoplifting criminal defense, we pursue the best possible result—whether that means dismissal, diversion, or negotiating alternatives to conviction.
Choosing the right shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles could mean the difference between a permanent criminal record and a clean slate. At Stein & Markus, we view every client relationship as a collaboration. You are part of every decision and kept informed at every step, which is especially important when facing theft accusations that can impact work, family, and future opportunities.
Thanks to our many years practicing in L.A. courts, we are familiar with the tendencies and priorities of individual prosecutors and judges, positioning us to make the right arguments and recommendations for your unique case. We believe that an informed client is empowered—and we are committed to making sure you understand all your options from start to finish.
Classifications and Degrees of the Shoplifting Offense
In California, shoplifting is a criminal offense. Thanks to the passage of Proposition 47 in 2014, shoplifting is typically a misdemeanor for a first offense, but the charge can be elevated to a felony under certain circumstances, which significantly increases the potential penalties.
- Misdemeanor: For property valued at $950 or less, a first-time offense is a misdemeanor. The penalty is up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
- Felony Enhancement: The charge is elevated to a felony if the person has a prior conviction for a serious or violent felony, or a conviction that requires sex offender registration. The charge can also be a felony if the person has a prior conviction for a certain theft offense.
- Burglary: In some cases, a person accused of shoplifting can be charged with burglary if they entered the store with the intent to commit a felony. This is a more serious offense that carries a state prison sentence.
A knowledgeable Los Angeles shoplifting lawyer will work to prevent any enhancement of your charges and will fight for a resolution that minimizes the impact on your life.
Penalties and Collateral Consequences of a Shoplifting Conviction in California
A conviction for a shoplifting offense is a life-altering event. The legal penalties can be severe, and the collateral consequences can be even more devastating, creating barriers that can feel impossible to overcome. Our firm, Stein & Markus, is dedicated to protecting you from these severe penalties and consequences. As a dedicated shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles, we will fight for a resolution that minimizes the impact on your life, your family, and your future.
Direct Penalties
The direct legal penalties for a shoplifting conviction depend on the degree of the offense:
- Incarceration: Jail time, ranging from a few days for a misdemeanor to several years for a felony.
- Fines: Fines can be substantial, often reaching into the thousands of dollars.
- Probation and Supervised Release: A conviction will likely be followed by a period of supervised probation, during which you must adhere to strict conditions. A violation of these terms can lead to re-incarceration.
- Restitution: You will likely be ordered to pay restitution to the store for the value of the stolen property.
Collateral Consequences
A criminal record for a theft crime can follow you for the rest of your life, making it incredibly difficult to find employment, obtain professional licenses, or secure housing. Many employers and professional licensing boards have zero-tolerance policies for these convictions, and landlords often deny rental applications to those with a criminal record.
Additionally, a felony conviction will result in a permanent ban on owning or possessing a firearm. For non-citizens, a conviction can have severe immigration consequences, including deportation. The social stigma attached to these crimes can also damage your reputation and personal relationships.
Building a Strategic Defense Against Shoplifting Charges
Every case is unique, and we develop a defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.
As a seasoned Los Angeles shoplifting lawyer, we will leverage every possible defense, including:
- Lack of Intent: This is the most crucial element to challenge. The prosecution must prove that you had the specific intent to steal at the moment you entered the store. We can argue that the incident was a misunderstanding, a simple mistake, or that you had no intention of stealing the item.
- Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. We will argue that the evidence presented is not sufficient to meet this high standard, either because the witness testimony is inconsistent or the surveillance footage is inconclusive.
- Mistaken Identity: We can argue that you have been misidentified as the person who committed the crime. This defense is particularly strong when the identification is based on a flawed witness lineup or a single, fleeting observation.
- Constitutional Violations: We will challenge any violation of your rights, such as an unlawful search and seizure or a coerced confession.
Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome for you. We are skilled negotiators who will work with the prosecutor to secure a favorable plea agreement, such as a reduction of charges to a lesser offense like trespass or a diversion program. However, if a fair plea cannot be reached, we will not hesitate to take your case to trial. Our firm is a trial-ready shoplifting attorney in Los Angeles with the experience and determination to fight for an acquittal.
Contact Our Los Angeles Shoplifting Criminal Defense Team Today
If you are facing a shoplifting charge in Los Angeles or anywhere in Southern California, the shoplifting attorney team at Stein & Markus is ready to help you take control of your future. Contact us now for a confidential consultation—early action gives you the best chance to preserve your freedom, reputation, and peace of mind. By working with us, you benefit from unrivaled prosecutorial perspective, decades of courtroom experience, and a commitment to treating every client with the dignity and care we would show our own families.
Reach us online today or call (562) 512-7030 and let a knowledgeable shoplifting criminal attorney in Los Angeles start building your defense. Clarity and confidence are just a phone call away.
Why Choose Stein & Markus?
What Makes Us Different
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We Provide Free ConsultationsTalk through all of your legal options during a free consultation.
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Work with a Former ProsecutorOur prosecutor turned defense attorney is ready to protect you!
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