In Orange County, Los Angeles County, Riverside County, San Bernadino County and San Diego County, the Law Office of Keith J. Bruno has handled virtually every type of theft-related crime in the California Penal Code.

Some theft offenses are misdemeanors while others are felonys. Some however, are offenses that at the discretion of prosecutor, can be filed as either misdemeanors or felonies (commonly know as "wobblers). The charging determination is influenced by a variety of factors including the value of the item taken, whether or not the defendant has any prior convictions, or any other facts are evident from the police report or the defendant's criminal history that would serve to aggravate or mitigate the charging.

In addition to the more serious varieties of theft, a petty theft can also be charged as an infraction. Sometimes, where the facts of the case are not in dispute and there is no significant criminal history, a petty theft as an infraction can be a good plea bargain option.

While a theft charge is not necessarily as serious as a burglary charge, drug charge, or violent offense, the theft charge can have serious consequences. If it is charged as a felony, state prison is the most severe consequence. If it is charged as a misdemeanor, one year in the county jail is the most severe consequence. These are generally the obvious consequences. However, a conviction for a theft offense whether felony or misdemeanor, can have many hidden consequences. Many future employers will not hire someone who has a theft crime in their background. Those people are viewed as untrustworthy. Nearly all jobs require the handling of money or handling of accounts of a business where money is transacted. Your ability to earn a living in the future may be affected by the theft charge that you pled out to when you were 19 years old. Accordingly, it is imperative that you hire an aggressive, intelligent, and diligent attorney to defend your rights. At The Law Office of Keith J. Bruno, Mr. Bruno will zealously defend your rights.

If you have been accused of a theft offense, contact the Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego criminal defense firm of The Law Office of Keith J. Bruno. We offer a free face-to-face consultation and can work out a payment plan in most situations.

The Newport Beach, Orange County, California, Law Office of Keith J. Bruno represents Californians who have been accused, charged, or arrested for criminal offenses in Orange County, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego.