Beverly Hills Shoplifting Case Dismissed – Lawyer Success # 4
Our client was arrested for shoplifting two bottles of wine from a well-known grocery store. She was 25, with no prior record, and had a promising career in fashion before her. She was a college graduate. The value of the two bottles of wine was just over $50. She was caught red-handed, as the saying goes.
Our client was charged with a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code section 484(a). The Beverly Hills District Attorney would not agree to a reduction of charges to an infraction under Penal Code section 490.1, as the items stolen were not for the necessities of life.
The charges and a plea bargain thereto was extremely problematic for our client, as in her field, a conviction involving a crime of dishonesty is a career ender.
The initial offer from the district attorney was a $300 fine, plus penalties and assessments, twenty-four months of summary probation and a stay away order from any stores in the chain of stores where the incident occurred. Our client would also have to pay the booking fee, which was close to $400.
Our office worked closely with the store where the incident occurred and negotiated a letter wherein the store agreed to state that it was not desirous of further criminal prosecution in exchange for our client’s payment of certain investigation costs the store incurred in connection with its loss prevention department operations related to the theft.
Our office then filed a Motion for Civil Compromise under Penal Code sections 1377 and 1378, which the Court granted over the District Attorney’s objections. The case was dismissed in its entirety.
If you or a family member faces criminal charges involving petty theft (Penal Code section 484), we at Greg Hill and Associates want to help you. Please call our office today for a free 45 minute consultation. Our telephone number is (310) 782-2500.
Our client was charged with a misdemeanor violation of Penal Code section 484(a). The Beverly Hills District Attorney would not agree to a reduction of charges to an infraction under Penal Code section 490.1, as the items stolen were not for the necessities of life.
The charges and a plea bargain thereto was extremely problematic for our client, as in her field, a conviction involving a crime of dishonesty is a career ender.
The initial offer from the district attorney was a $300 fine, plus penalties and assessments, twenty-four months of summary probation and a stay away order from any stores in the chain of stores where the incident occurred. Our client would also have to pay the booking fee, which was close to $400.
Our office worked closely with the store where the incident occurred and negotiated a letter wherein the store agreed to state that it was not desirous of further criminal prosecution in exchange for our client’s payment of certain investigation costs the store incurred in connection with its loss prevention department operations related to the theft.
Our office then filed a Motion for Civil Compromise under Penal Code sections 1377 and 1378, which the Court granted over the District Attorney’s objections. The case was dismissed in its entirety.
If you or a family member faces criminal charges involving petty theft (Penal Code section 484), we at Greg Hill and Associates want to help you. Please call our office today for a free 45 minute consultation. Our telephone number is (310) 782-2500.