Theft & Burglary Defense · Chula Vista
Theft & Burglary Defense Attorney in Chula Vista
From petty theft to grand larceny, a theft charge can follow you to every job you apply for. Get defense that protects your record and your future.
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- 5.0 rating
- 151 reviews
- Bilingual — Se habla español
- Direct attorney access
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You are not alone
We've walked people through this since 1983.
A theft charge can come from a misunderstanding, a bad moment, or a wrong assumption. Whatever brought you here, an employer sees the word "theft" and stops reading. We work to keep that from defining you.
What's at stake
The next moves matter.
Penalties range from fines to jail, and a theft conviction reads as dishonesty on every background check. That's why the details of the case, and the alternatives to a conviction, matter so much.
How we defend it
The defense we build for you.
- We analyze every detail for gaps in the prosecution's proof.
- We challenge intent, ownership, and the value alleged.
- We pursue diversion, restitution deals, and alternatives to a conviction.
- We fight to protect your record and your job prospects.
How it works
Three steps to get your footing back.
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01
Request your free strategy consultation.
Tell us what happened. No obligation, no judgment.
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02
We build your defense.
We dig into the facts, the law, and every possible defense.
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03
We protect your record and your future.
We fight to reduce or drop the charges — and keep your life on track.
What Chula Vista clients say.
Verified public Google reviews.
Where California draws the line on theft charges
Proposition 47 redrew the map on theft. Taking property worth $950 or less is generally petty theft, a misdemeanor. Above $950, the case can be charged as grand theft, a wobbler the prosecutor may file as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Shoplifting has its own section: entering an open business intending to take $950 or less is charged as a misdemeanor rather than as burglary.
Burglary turns on where, not on how much. Entering a home is first-degree burglary, always a felony, and it counts as a strike. Entering a commercial building is second-degree and a wobbler. Because the dollar figure and the location drive the charge, the value the prosecution assigns to the property and what the evidence actually shows about intent are usually the two things most worth fighting.
- $950 or less: generally petty theft, a misdemeanor.
- Over $950: grand theft, a wobbler that can be filed as a felony.
- Shoplifting: entering an open business intending to take $950 or less is its own misdemeanor.
- Residential burglary: always a felony, and it counts as a strike.
- Intent: the prosecution has to prove you meant to permanently deprive the owner.
What to do in the first 48 hours
Theft cases are often decided by paperwork: a loss-prevention report, a value estimate, a grainy video. Get ahead of all three.
- Don’t sign anything a store or loss-prevention officer puts in front of you.
- Don’t explain the situation to police, even if you think it clears you up.
- Save receipts, bank records, and messages that show what you actually paid for or owned.
- Ask us to request the surveillance video before the store overwrites it.
- Call before any restitution demand letter gets answered.
Theft defense in Chula Vista courts
We defend theft and burglary cases in the South Bay Division of San Diego County Superior Court in Chula Vista. Many of these cases start at a retail counter and are built almost entirely on a loss-prevention file, which is exactly the kind of evidence that rewards a close look. Where the facts allow, we pursue diversion, a civil compromise, or a reduction that keeps the word “theft” off a background check. We’ve defended clients across Chula Vista, National City, Bonita, and Imperial Beach since 1983, in English and Spanish.
FAQ
Questions clients ask.
What's the difference between petty and grand theft?
It usually comes down to the value involved. That line changes how the case is charged and what you’re facing. We’ll explain where yours lands.
Can a theft charge be kept off my record?
Sometimes, through diversion or a reduced plea. We push for the cleanest outcome the facts allow.
Does $950 really decide the charge?
It is the main line. At or under $950 a theft is generally a misdemeanor; above it, the prosecutor can file grand theft as a felony. That is why we scrutinize how the property was valued.
Is shoplifting the same as burglary?
No. Entering an open business intending to take $950 or less is charged as shoplifting, a misdemeanor, rather than as burglary. Prosecutors sometimes overcharge it, and that is worth challenging.
Can a theft charge be diverted?
Often, especially on a first case. Diversion, a civil compromise, or a reduction can all keep a theft conviction off your record. We aim for the cleanest result the facts allow.
Call or text 24/7.
Free strategy consultation. Bilingual. Since 1983.
Talk to a defense attorney today.
Free strategy consultation. Call or text 24/7. Weekend appointments available.
- · Direct attorney access
- · Bilingual — Se habla español
- · Reasonable fees
Tell us what happened
No obligation. We reply fast, day or night.