Shoplifting

Shoplifting Laws and LA, Orange & Ventura County Shoplifting Defense Lawyers

Whether you meant to steal from the store or it was all a misunderstanding, you need a shoplifting defense attorney who knows the California shoplifting law, California Penal Code section 484. Our shoplifting defense lawyers will be there for you to represent you in all discussions with the store, the police, and the prosecutor. Anything you say, write down, or sign can be used against you.

Don't take chances with your freedom or your future. Contact an experienced shoplifting defense lawyer who wants to get your charges dismissed.

Shoplifting Defense Lawyers on Your Side
Former Deputy District Attorneys
Unlike some law firms - You won't get an Associate Attorney!
Your Theft Defense Attorney will be a Partner in our Law Firm who is a Former Prosecutor!
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At our law firm, Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP, we know there are many reasons why someone could be arrested for shoplifting, you should be aware of some of the shoplifting laws.

You may have placed an object in your pocket, forgotten about it, and walked out of the store without paying. To the store, that looks like a shoplifting crime. We can intervene on your behalf and offer the store restitution and avoid the embarrassment of criminal charges. Contact a lawyer. We can help you in negotiations with the store or with the prosecutor.
In shoplifting misdemeanor cases if you were caught shoplifting with store merchandise along with bags or devices designed to conceal merchandise, you could be charged with commercial burglary. The bags or devices can arguably be used as proof of intent to steal before you entered the store, which is burglary. You need an attorney who will protect your rights.
For some people, stealing, and especially shoplifting, fulfills psychological needs caused by disorders such as kleptomania or obsessive compulsive disorder. Our law firm can help you deal with the charges against you as well as refer you to helpful psychological resources.
We often work with our clients and storeowners to reach a civil compromise to avoid any shoplifting punishment. Negotiating with the store about a possible civil compromise may result in the charges being dropped and no criminal conviction on your record. In such cases, the client makes full restitution for the items taken and the store declines to press charges.
Please see our Penalties page for the consequences of being caught for shoplifting.

Whatever the circumstances of your shoplifting arrest or shoplifting theft case, our shoplifting defense lawyers will make sure that your rights are protected, that any evidence against you was properly obtained, and that you have an effective defense.

At the Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff LLP law firm, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our shoplifting defense attorneys know the shoplifting law and represent clients throughout Southern California including Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, Orange County, Santa Ana, Long Beach, California, Anaheim, Torrance, Pasadena, Glendale, Santa Clarita, Ventura, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Fullerton, Rancho Cucamonga, Orange, Ontario, Riverside, Burbank, West Covina, Norwalk, Oxnard, Pomona, Westminster, Alhambra, Whittier, Laguna Niguel, Thousand Oaks, Mission Viejo, Simi Valley, and Bellflower.

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Call toll-free (866) 382-3588 or e-mail today.

I only took a small item from the store. Why have I been charged with burglary and not shoplifting?
The key distinction between being charged with burglary (entering a structure with the intent to steal) and shoplifting (petty theft) is when was the intent to steal formed in their mind. Essentially, if a person enters the store with the prior intent to steal something then they are committing burglary. If they enter for other reasons and decide in the store to simply take an item of small value then it is petty theft. Intent is the key element that must be established for a burglary charge. Intent is often established by being in possession of false receipts and already having empty bags to place stolen items, etc.

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Offices throughout southern California (866) 382-3588 call for an office location near you.

Los Angeles County
West Los Angeles (Main Office)
11845 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 1000
Los Angeles, CA 90064

Long Beach
211 E. Ocean Blvd., 2nd Floor
Long Beach, CA 90802

Pasadena
225 S. Lake Ave., 3rd Floor
Pasadena, CA 91101

Santa Clarita
27240 Turnberry Lane, Suite 200
Valencia, CA 91355

Torrance (South Bay)
21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 500
Torrance, CA 90503

Woodland Hills
5850 Canoga Ave., 4th Floor
Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Orange County
Huntington Beach
7755 Center Avenue, 11th Floor
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Irvine
19800 MacArthur Blvd., Suite 300
Irvine, CA 92612

Laguna Niguel
28202 Cabot Road, Suite 300
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Newport Beach
895 Dove Street, 3rd Floor
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Orange
333 City Blvd. West, 17th Floor
Orange, CA 92868

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The criminal defense lawyers at Takakjian, Sowers & Sitkoff, LLP, all former district attorneys, represent clients throughput Southern California, including Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the San Fernando Valley. Los Angeles County: Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Culver City, Encino, Glendale, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Valencia, Van Nuys, Venice, West Covina, Whittier and Woodland Hills. Orange County: Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, La Palma, Newport Beach, Orange and Seal Beach.

Disclaimer:
The criminal defense information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney-client relationship. Our criminal defense law firm encourages you to seek independent counsel for legal advice regarding your individual criminal defense issues. Any results portrayed here were dependent on the facts of that case and the results will differ if based on different facts. Please contact our law firm for a lawyer and criminal defense attorney at one of our nearby Southern California law firm offices in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County and throughout Southern California. The attorney responsible for the content of this website is California Criminal Attorney Donald G. Sowers. Any reference obtained from this site to a specific service, product or process does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the firm of the service, product or process or its producer or provider. This website is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of California.