Petty Theft

Published on: December 3, 2012

Proposition 36 Alert: Man Convicted of Los Angeles Petty Theft Released From Jail after 17 Years

Nearly two decades ago, Sergio Ayala got convicted on charges of Los Angeles petty theft: he stole a leaf blower worth $150. Since the former heroin addict already had two criminal convictions “under his belt,” he found himself whalloped by California’s Three Strikes rule and landed a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars.

17 years passed.

Then came the November elections, and Mr. Ayala’s fortunes changed, thanks to the passage of Proposition 36, which amended the 1994 Three Strikes law and paved the way for Mr. Ayala’s release. The tweaks to Prop 36 were designed to help non-violent offenders exit the California prison system and save the state millions of dollars in tax revenues. Champions of the bill suggested that the Three Strikes law had been long overdue for a reworking, especially as it pertained to practice of “throwing the book” at non-violent third offenders, like Los Angeles petty theft defendants. Critics, however, worry that the changes to the law could lead to increased crime rates and more recidivist behavior.

Published on: November 22, 2012

4 Curious Facts about Holiday Theft and Shoplifting in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

As the Yuletide season approaches, retailers are going to be on high alert for Los Angeles petty theft and similar crimes. If you’ve unfortunately recently been arrested for pilfering electronics or clothing — or participating in a larger scale Southern California grand theft crime syndicate — you may need to take decisive, strategic action to protect your freedom and minimize punishments. Here are five germane (and somewhat surprising) facts about Los Angeles petty theft to keep in mind as you research and structure your defense:

1. Petty theft and fraud cost American businesses over $35 billion every year – or approximately 1.4% of all total sales.

Unsurprisingly, the velocity and diversity of theft crimes in Los Angeles spikes during the holiday season.

Published on: November 19, 2012

Los Angeles Petty Theft Conviction Nets Octogenarian Six-Year Jail Sentence!

by Michael Kraut

In case you are under the false belief that your recent Los Angeles petty theft charge would result, at worse, in a metaphorical “slap on the wrist,” think again.

82-year-old Doris Ann Gamble recently pled guilty to Los Angeles petty theft… and netted a six year jail sentence!

Why on Earth would prosecutors bring down the hammer so hard on an octogenarian? The answer has to do with Ms. Gamble’s history.

Published on: November 7, 2012

Los Angeles Petty Theft Defendants: What You Can Learn from Theft of Amy Winehouse’s Wedding Dress

by Michael Kraut

You’ve been recently arrested and booked on charges of petty theft in Los Angeles. Whether you pilfered a few bottles of Tide from a CVS or Walgreens or stole a small piece of jewelry to pawn or give away as a gift, you may or may not be taking your legal situation seriously.

On the other hand, you understand that you’re in trouble. If convicted of a misdemeanor theft crime in Southern California, you could face disaster if you ever get arrested and convicted again. Just two convictions of Los Angeles petty theft – even separated by years! – allows prosecutors to hit you with a felony, which could land you behind bars for over a year.

In the short-term, you could also face substantial and immediate problems, such as a steep fine, public humiliation, and even jail time. And that’s not even counting the indirect fallout. For instance, perhaps you stole from your employer, in which case you’ll likely get fired. If it takes you another three months to find a new job, that means that you’ll “miss out” on three months worth of wages – which could add up to thousands of dollars and indirectly lead to even more problems, such as credit card debt, creditor harassment, and on and on.

Published on: November 1, 2012

Got Arrested for Petty Theft in Los Angeles? 3 “Egg Theft” Cases Indicate That Your Case May Not Be So Original, After All…

by Michael Kraut

You’ve recently been arrested for petty theft or grand theft in Los Angeles.

Not only are you sweating the potential legal ramifications — you don’t want to go jail or pay thousands of dollars in fines and restitution — but you’re also concerned that your case might be “one of a kind.” Perhaps you stole something “weird” for a fluky reason. Or maybe the events that occurred before, during, or after the theft were very quirky. As a result, you fear that even the best Southern California criminal defense lawyer might not know how to assist you.

Odds are, however, that your case is far more “normal” than you realize.

Published on: October 12, 2012

4 Weird Examples of Los Angeles Petty Theft

by Michael Kraut

Whether you’ve been arrested for Los Angeles petty theft for stealing Tide detergent from a local grocery store or for swiping human hair from the garbage bins of a salon, you might be shocked to know that you are not alone – not by a long shot.

Indeed, bizarre theft crimes in Southern California are actually surprisingly common. Here are 3 weird items that are regularly pilfered.

1. Tide Detergent

Published on: September 27, 2012

No More Los Angeles Petty Theft Charges for Lindsay Lohan: Prosecutors Drop Case against Actress

by Michael Kraut

Did Lindsay Lohan perpetrate theft in Los Angeles and add yet again to her litany of brushes with the law?

We’ll never know, since the Los Angeles Police Department has now closed a case against her, after prosecutors abandoned the idea of filing charges. News reports noted that detectives at the LAPD wanted to chat with Lohan about an event that occurred on August 18th, in which a credit card, cash, and some sunglasses were swiped from a home in the Hollywood Hills.

One of the victims, millionaire Sam Magid, apparently had a long-term relationship with Lohan. Prosecutors encountered trouble because eyewitnesses refused to cooperate, and the victims also did not want to go through the hassle of prosecuting, for whatever reason. Out of possibilities, the LAPD basically gave up: good news for Lohan, whose acting career has taken a backseat to her tabloid exploits – most famously her 2007 Los Angeles DUI and probation violations, which this blog and other media sources covered at length.

Published on: September 18, 2012

Petty Theft Conviction in Los Angeles Will Make LL Cool J’s Burglars’ Defense That Much More Complicated

by Michael Kraut

Could a conviction for petty theft in Los Angeles (e.g. for shoplifting some t-shirts or clothes) ultimately land you a 30-year prison conviction and $1.1 million bail?

If that scenario sounds far-fetched, think again.

It’s a reality for 56-years-old Jonathan Kirby, who was charged last week with breaking into rapper LL Cool J’s house. Kirby apparently picked the wrong house to burglarize. When the NCIS: Los Angeles star woke from his slumber around 2 AM, Cool J – a.k.a. James Todd Smith – confronted Kirby and got into a brawl with him. Cool J smashed up Kirby’s nose and broke his ribs and jaw before detaining the intruder and holding him there. Police believe Cool J acted in self-defense, and no charges against have been filed against him.

Published on: August 3, 2012

Not So Petty Theft in Los Angeles: Bold Thief Takes Jillian Michaels’ Bentley for a Joyride and Leads Police on a Wild Goose Chase

by Michael Kraut

It was a not so petty theft case in Los Angeles: 29-year-old Gerjuan Deshon Harmon broke into reality TV star Jillian Michaels’ home in Malibu, pilfered her purse and 2001 Bentley, and then tried to outrun police in the stolen luxury vehicle, only to smash the car, and fight with the cops before getting arrested.

Michaels was home when the burglary occurred and she didn’t notice that her luxury vehicle or purse was stolen until the following day. After Michaels reported the theft to police, officers in Burbank found the missing Bentley and chased Harmon, who smashed up the car, fled the wreck, and eventually succumbed to arrest after putting up a fight.

Per the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office: Harmon now faces a slew of unpleasant charges, including:

Published on: July 14, 2012

Los Angeles Petty Theft News: Stolen Bike Found Via Twitter, But Not Everyone’s Happy About The Outcome

by Michael Kraut

Petty theft in Los Angeles or elsewhere is an interesting animal, as far as crimes are concerned.

Understand that if you steal a valuable item worth less than $400, you can still face plenty of reprobation per California law. Indeed, if you are convicted of two counts of petty theft in Southern California, the second conviction can actually elevate the offense to a felony, and you could end up spending a whole year behind bars or worse!

So shoplifting and other types of petty theft can be punished quite egregiously.