Defending A Theft Charge In Los Angeles
Theft crimes have existed since I've been practicing for twenty-five years. Prosecutors and judges alike obviously don't like people stealing in society, especially when you're talking about stealing from big entities—stores like Nordstrom, Target, or any of these other department stores that pay taxes and money to the government.
So, the government is like a big brother, ensuring they protect these big entities.
They would put people on probation for many years and give them a criminal conviction. That's one of the worst convictions because when you try to get a job or some benefits, if someone sees that you have a theft-related offense on your record, it's tough to hire somebody with a theft background.
Diversion Options To Avoid Conviction
Now, a series of propositions have been passed, and law enforcement has, frankly, eased up in many of these theft cases. Depending on the circumstances, we can secure diversion and other resolutions to protect your criminal record.
Diversion, in this context, refers to a program that allows you to avoid a criminal conviction by completing certain requirements, such as community service or a theft education course. This could mean getting a charge that can be expunged within a certain time or a charge that's not theft-related. This offers a glimmer of hope, even in the face of strong evidence against you.
Of course, this is the goal, even if they have the goods for you. Then, you should still be able to work out where your record is protected. For those who have multiple other theft offenses and get a new theft offense, the prosecutors and judges will not be as kind to those individuals.
Still, though, many times, when they were throwing those individuals in the county jail or prison and imposing all sorts of restrictions on them, they've eased up a bit and are not quite as harsh.
The more involved with theft-related offenses in your back, the more damage you cause, the more loss you cause, and the more sophisticated your activities are if you sit in a position of trust — these are all factors the prosecutors will look at. Of course, they will let you have it under the right circumstances.
Seeking the Best Possible Outcome on Your Case
That's why getting a great criminal defense attorney who has handled theft-related offenses is so essential. A skilled attorney can navigate the complex legal system, negotiate with prosecutors, and present a strong defense on your behalf, especially in Los Angeles County, where theft is rampant and many cases exist. This expertise should reassure you and give you confidence in your defense.
You can get a mitigation package together with character letters relating to your job, your family, and your friends to show you're a good person, and whatever activities you were involved in are what they could characterize as an aberration.
A mitigation package is a collection of documents and evidence that can be used to show the court that you are not a habitual offender and that the circumstances of the offense were unusual. This can help to mitigate the severity of the charges and the potential penalties.
It's a way to show that you shouldn't get some horrible conviction, you shouldn't be sent to jail or prison — you should be allowed to show that you will not become involved in these activities again and to protect your criminal record and put you in the best possible position.
Of course, this is what we're looking to do, so we have you come in for a confidential meeting to talk about everything and strategize. In this meeting, you can expect to discuss the details of your case, your legal options, and the potential strategies for your defense.
When you walk out of the meeting, you should have an idea of what you're going to do, what the attorney is going to do, and a game plan moving forward so that you know what you're up against.
At The Hedding Law Firm, we're committed to not just providing a defense but a personalized defense strategy based on your unique situation to give you the best chance of a positive outcome. This commitment should make you feel understood and supported during this challenging time.
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