Grand Theft Serving Families Throughout Fresno & The Surrounding Areas

Grand Theft Attorney in Fresno

Over 40 Years Defending Fresno Clients Against PC 487 Charges

A grand theft charge under California Penal Code 487 is a wobbler offense, meaning the prosecution can file it as either a felony or a misdemeanor. That decision happens before arraignment, and it shapes everything that follows: sentencing exposure, your record, your career. At Sawl Law Group, Inc., we’ve defended criminal cases in Fresno for over 40 years, and we know how early intervention in the charging process can matter.

We represent clients in Fresno, Clovis, Sanger, and Selma. Consultations are free, and we’re available around the clock.

If you’ve been charged with grand theft in Fresno County, contact our office today at (559) 205-7757 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 and offer affordable payment options.

What Qualifies as Grand Theft Under California Law

PC 487 defines grand theft as the unlawful taking of money, labor, or property valued at more than $950. But the $950 threshold isn’t the only way a charge reaches grand theft level. Several categories trigger a grand theft charge regardless of dollar value.

Four legally recognized methods of commission:

Larceny: Physically taking property without permission
False pretense: Deceiving someone into transferring ownership
Trick: Using fraud to obtain possession without an ownership transfer
Embezzlement: Fraudulently converting property that was entrusted to you

Automatic grand theft regardless of value:

Theft of a firearm (charged as a felony)
Theft of an automobile under PC 487(d)(1)
Theft of property taken directly from another person’s body

Prosecutors can also aggregate related theft acts under PC 487(e). If multiple smaller takings were part of a single plan and the combined value exceeds $950, a grand theft charge can follow. The legal standard for valuation is fair market value, not replacement cost, and that distinction can be a meaningful defense avenue when the actual value of the property is disputed.

Grand Theft Penalties in California

As a wobbler, grand theft carries very different consequences depending on how it’s filed. A misdemeanor conviction carries up to one year in county jail and fines up to $1,000. A felony conviction carries a state prison sentence of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years, plus fines up to $10,000. Courts may also impose victim restitution in either case.

Grand theft of a firearm isn’t a wobbler. It’s charged as a felony, carries the same 16-month to 3-year prison range, and counts as a strike under California’s three-strikes law. A defendant with two prior serious or violent felony convictions who is convicted of a third faces a potential life sentence.

Value-based enhancements under Penal Code 12022.6 can add consecutive prison time on top of the base sentence:

Property exceeding $65,000: 1 additional year
Property exceeding $200,000: 2 additional years
Property exceeding $1,300,000: 3 additional years
Property exceeding $3,200,000: 4 additional years

Prior theft-related convictions can also push a charge from misdemeanor to felony and increase sentencing exposure further.

Why Fresno Defendants Choose Sawl Law Group, Inc.

We’ve handled scores of trial cases over more than 40 years of criminal defense practice in Fresno. That courtroom experience reflects a genuine understanding of how the Fresno County Superior Court operates and how local prosecutors approach PC 487 cases. We don’t rely on a one-size-fits-all approach. Each case involves a distinct set of facts, a specific charge method, and a particular dollar amount, and our defense strategy reflects those details.

From challenging the prosecution’s valuation evidence to arguing for a misdemeanor filing before arraignment, we work to position your case as favorably as possible based on the available facts and law. We’re accessible when you need us, with free consultations and payment options that don’t require you to wait to get counsel involved.

Contact a Grand Theft Lawyer in Fresno Today

The window between a charge and arraignment is one of the most consequential periods in a PC 487 case. Early attorney involvement gives us the opportunity to engage with prosecutors before the felony or misdemeanor filing decision is final, which can affect whether the case proceeds as a felony or a misdemeanor. Don’t wait to get representation in place.

Call our Fresno grand theft attorneys at (559) 205-7757 to speak with Sawl Law Group, Inc. today. We offer free initial consultations, affordable payment options, and 24/7 availability.

Defenses to Grand Theft Charges in California

Every PC 487 case turns on facts, and the prosecution carries the burden of proving each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Several well-established defenses apply to grand theft charges, and the right approach depends on how the theft is alleged to have occurred.

Lack of Criminal Intent

Grand theft requires that the defendant intended to permanently deprive the owner of the property. If the taking resulted from a misunderstanding, a mistake, or a genuine belief that the property was owed, that intent is absent. This is a complete defense.

Claim of Right

A defendant who held a good-faith belief that the property was theirs, or that they were owed it, lacks the criminal intent required for conviction under PC 487. The belief doesn’t have to be legally correct, only genuinely held.

Owner Consent

If the owner authorized the taking, no theft occurred. Consent is a complete defense and can be established through communications, prior agreements, or witness testimony.

False Accusation or Misidentification

Disputed-possession situations, workplace conflicts, and relationship disputes can produce false accusations. Eyewitness identification is also recognized as an unreliable form of evidence in many circumstances, and an independent review of the identification process can surface problems the prosecution hasn’t addressed.

Property Valuation Below $950

Because fair market value governs rather than replacement cost, an independent appraisal can sometimes bring the property’s value below the $950 threshold. If the value doesn’t support the charge, the grand theft allegation may fail and the conduct may only support a petty theft charge.

Fourth Amendment Challenges

Evidence obtained through an unlawful search or seizure may be excluded under the Fourth Amendment. If the prosecution’s case rests on physical evidence gathered without proper legal authority, a suppression motion can significantly weaken the case against you and may lead to dismissal of some or all charges.

Miranda Rights Violations

Statements made during a custodial interrogation without a proper Miranda advisement may be excluded from evidence. Incriminating admissions obtained in violation of this rule can often be suppressed, removing them from the prosecution’s use at trial.

Long-Term Consequences of a Grand Theft Conviction

The immediate penalties are only part of the picture. A grand theft conviction carries consequences that extend well beyond the sentence itself, touching employment, professional licensing, immigration status, and more.

Employment & Professional Licensing

California classifies theft crimes as crimes of moral turpitude, which can trigger license denial or revocation in fields including law, medicine, nursing, teaching, and real estate. Employers in financial services, healthcare, and government positions routinely disqualify applicants with theft convictions on their record.

Immigration Consequences

Non-citizen defendants face a separate and serious layer of risk. A grand theft conviction can result in deportation, denial of visa renewal, inadmissibility, or denial of naturalization. These consequences make early defense work especially critical for clients without citizenship.

Expungement Eligibility

A felony grand theft conviction generally isn’t eligible for expungement under PC 1203.4 if the defendant served time in state prison. Convictions resulting in county jail time or probation may be eligible after probation is completed, but a misdemeanor outcome preserves far more options than a felony record does.

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