Grand Theft Defense Lawyer in Walnut Creek
Focused Criminal Defense for Grand Theft Charges in Contra Costa County
A grand theft charge in California carries consequences that reach well beyond the courtroom. Under California Penal Code 487, taking property valued above $950 generally triggers a grand theft charge, but the threshold is lower for certain categories. Firearms are charged as grand theft regardless of value. Livestock and specified agricultural products can be charged as grand theft when their value exceeds $250. Automobiles qualify regardless of value. Many defendants are caught off guard when they learn the charge applies to their situation.
What makes grand theft particularly serious is its status as a wobbler offense, meaning prosecutors can file it as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s prior record. That classification decision happens early, often before the first court date, which is why early legal intervention matters.
Facing a grand theft charge in Walnut Creek or Contra Costa County? Contact Thomas Daly Law, A Professional Corporation for a free initial consultation. Call (925) 208-4801 now.
Penalties for Grand Theft in California
The sentencing range depends on whether the charge is filed as a misdemeanor or a felony. Both possibilities matter when evaluating what a conviction could mean.
Misdemeanor Grand Theft
A misdemeanor theft conviction carries a jail sentence of up to one year. That is less severe than a felony, but a misdemeanor theft conviction still becomes part of a permanent criminal record.
Felony Grand Theft
A felony conviction carries a term of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years. When the theft involves a firearm, the charge is always a straight felony carrying the same sentencing range and must be served in state prison. Prior convictions can influence both the prosecution’s charging decision and the sentence ultimately imposed.
Collateral Consequences
A theft conviction, even at the misdemeanor level, can affect employment opportunities, disqualify individuals from holding certain professional licenses, and complicate housing applications. These consequences are often what clients feel most acutely after a case resolves, and they factor into how Thomas Daly evaluates available defense options.
Defending Grand Theft Charges in Walnut Creek
Grand theft cases arising in Walnut Creek are prosecuted at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez, where Thomas Daly has direct courtroom experience. That familiarity with how Contra Costa County prosecutors approach theft cases, and how the court handles them, informs every step of the defense.
Challenging the Prosecution’s Case
A grand theft conviction requires the prosecution to prove intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. Challenging that intent is one recognized defense approach. Other defenses depend on the specific facts of the case and may include mistaken ownership, consent from the alleged owner, misclassification of property value, or suppression of evidence obtained in violation of constitutional rights. Suppression motions, when successful, can remove key prosecution evidence before trial.
Early Intervention & Available Outcomes
For first-time offenders, outcomes including diversion programs, informal probation, and reduced charges are sometimes available through negotiation at Contra Costa Superior Court. Contra Costa County prosecutors are methodical in theft cases, particularly those involving repeat offenders. The earlier an attorney is involved, the more options may remain open for how charges are filed and how the case resolves.
One thing that consistently works against defendants is speaking to police without an attorney present. Statements made before charges are filed can be used at trial. Anyone already contacted by law enforcement shouldn’t answer additional questions before speaking with Thomas Daly.
Why Walnut Creek Clients Choose Thomas Daly for Grand Theft Defense
Thomas Daly is a Walnut Creek-based criminal defense attorney whose practice is focused entirely on criminal defense. He handles each case directly, without delegating to associates or support staff, so clients speak with the attorney who knows their file throughout the representation. He is a member of California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and the Criminal Law Section of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, and has been recognized by Super Lawyers.
His courtroom experience includes felony matters in Martinez, among them a Three Strikes case in which all serious felony charges were defeated at trial and the client was convicted of a misdemeanor only. That result reflects what can be possible when a case is fully prepared and aggressively litigated. It is not a prediction of any particular outcome, but it speaks to the level of preparation Thomas Daly brings to every client facing serious charges.
Thomas Daly offers a free initial consultation to individuals facing grand theft charges in Walnut Creek and throughout Contra Costa County. Contact the firm online or call (925) 208-4801 today.