What is the punishment for grand theft?
Conviction for grand theft can result in county jail time, up to 16 months in state prison, probation, parole, restitution, counseling, up to $10,000 in fines, and community service. If the theft involves a firearm, the punishment can include up to three years of prison time, as per California Penal Code ยง489. Who decides whether I will be charged with an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony for petty theft? It is up to the prosecution to decide how to charge you for a petty theft offense. This decision typically takes into account your criminal background, the value of the item(s) in question, as well as the circumstances surrounding the crime. What happens at my first court date? Your first court date is called an arraignment. At your arraignment, you enter a plea to the charges; plea options include guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Your attorney can appear for you on a misdemeanor charge, but you must appear at the arraignment in person on a felony charge. What is restitution? R