California Penal Code Section 532 PC defines the crime of “theft by false pretenses,” which can occur in many different ways.

This law prohibits defrauding someone of their money or property by using false promises, such as persuading them to give up something of value voluntarily due to fraudulent representation.

In other words, this type of theft crime is accomplished through deception rather than using physical force to take someone's property.

A “false pretense” is defined as any word or act if the intent is to deceive somebody, such as:

• Giving somebody information you know is false,
• Making promises you have no intention of actually keeping,
• Failing to give somebody information you are obligated to provide,
• Making a reckless misrepresentation to somebody.

Theft can manifest in various forms, each with its own complexities. With three decades of experience in criminal law, I've witnessed prosecutors and law enforcement officers devise numerous strategies to tackle theft crimes, underscoring the intricate nature of these cases.

The bottom line is that when it comes to theft by false pretenses, I typically see someone willingly giving away property and services and consenting to it.

Still, they need to realize that the other party has bad intentions in mind, is never going to pay them, or will never fulfill their end of the bargain.

So, you come up with theft by false pretenses. They separate it in those terms because sometimes someone gives away or gives up goods or property without the person actually stealing it or taking it away from them against their will.

So, they had to come up with something that would cover a situation where when the person taking something consensually, the authorities can prove they had a bad intention in mind, never intended to pay for the goods, always was going to steal them, and basically, the way they prove that type of a case is by what we call circumstantial evidence. Circumstantial evidence is indirect evidence that implies a fact but does not directly prove it.

In other words, evidence shows the person's true intent was false and that they would steal the goods. Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers will explain further below.

What is the Legal Definition of False Pretenses?

The legal definition of theft by false pretenses under California Penal Code 532 PC says the following:

• “Anyone who knowingly, by design, uses false or fraudulent representation or pretense, defrauds somebody of money, labor, property, or causes others to report falsely of their wealth or character, and by imposing upon somebody using fraudulent means is guilty of theft by false pretenses.”

Simply put, a prosecutor could charge you with PC 532 for lying to someone to convince them to give you their property, money, or anything that has value.

To convict you, however, of theft by false pretenses, a prosecutor has to prove all the elements of the crime, including that the defendant:

• knowingly and intentionally deceived someone by a false pretense;
• with intent was to persuade them to give you their property; and
• The owner gave you possession of their property or money due to the false pretense or false representation;
• after receiving property or money, there was an intent to deprive the owner for an extended period or permanently.

A “false pretense” covers many types of unlawful conduct, but the common theme is the intent to deceive.

What Are the Related California Crimes?

Penal Code 532 PC theft by false pretenses is related to several California white-collar crimes, including:

• Penal Code 484 PC – petty theft,
• Penal Code 487 PC – grand theft,
• Penal Code 476 PC – check fraud,
• Penal Code 470 PC – forgery,
• Penal Code 368 PC – elder abuse,
• Unemployment insurance fraud,
• Internet fraud,
• Telemarketing fraud,

Defending Theft by False Pretense Cases

So, if you or a loved one is charged with theft by false pretenses, you must get an attorney like me who'll fight for you and get your story out there.

Sometimes, there's more than meets the eye when it comes to these types of cases.  Your story is not obtained.  What the police end up doing is just gathering up a story that shows that you're guilty.

They don't get the other side of it, which is a shame because then prosecutors who are lawyers like me on the other side don't have the whole picture and don't realize what's going on from every single angle of the case.

That's a huge problem because they're only operating with part of the story, and it's a skewed story against you. This will only lead to criminal charges being filed against you and a situation where you're going to have a difficult time defending yourself.

Perhaps there was no intent to deceive, which is a crucial element of the crime for a prosecutor to show you intentionally misled. So, when I come in on a theft by false pretense case, I get the whole story, so I understand what's going on myself.

I need to assess whether or not there is any information that we could give to the prosecutors that would make a difference in their evaluation of the case.

If there's not, then we'll put together a mitigation package on your behalf. This package will highlight the positive aspects of your character and life, showing the good things about you and attempting to lessen some of the blow that a theft crime can cause you.

You can lose your future employment. No employer wants to hire somebody who has a theft-related offense.

The repercussions of a theft-related offense can be severe, potentially impacting your future employment and leading to a felony on your record.  Without the right legal representation, you could face imprisonment.  This underscores the critical need for a dedicated legal advocate on your side.

If you're seeking a dedicated legal professional who will fight for your rights and strive for the best possible outcome, you've found the right place.  Reach out to schedule a meeting with Ron Hedding.  I'm here, ready to stand by you and provide the support you need.

Hedding Law Firm is based in Los Angeles County, and we serve people throughout Southern California, including Ventura County, Orange County, San Bernardino, and Riverside. We offer a free case consultation.