A of new laws signed last year by California Gov. Gavin Newsom went into effect at the start of the year. Some of them involve more serious penalties for retail and other property theft crimes.
A number of the new laws make it easier for prosecutors to charge those allegedly involved in “organized retail theft” and “smash-and-grab” robberies with felony offenses. These thefts have become more common across the country in recent years. Cities like Newport Beach, where numerous high-end stores are a part of the local economy, have been particularly affected by these thefts.
The effect of “aggregating” the value of property taken in multiple thefts
One law allows prosecutors to combine or “aggregate” the value of property taken in separate thefts from different victims, regardless of what county they were in, when charging someone. That makes it easier for them to get to the $950 minimum required for a felony grand theft charge.
The same new law makes it a crime to possess over $950 worth of stolen goods, regardless of whether the person in possession of them knew they were stolen or not. This eliminates the need for prosecutors to have to prove that a defendant had that knowledge. Laws like these are used to help prosecute the “middlemen” involved in organized retail theft.
New law addresses theft from vehicles
Another new law worth noting involves “theft from a vehicle.” It allows someone accused of forcibly entering a vehicle for the purpose of theft or any felony to be charged with either a misdemeanor or felony. As with retail theft, the value of property stolen over multiple thefts can be aggregated for the purpose of determining a charge and its associated penalties.
It’s possible to end up incarcerated for multiple years if convicted of a theft crime – or even for possession of stolen goods with the intention of reselling them. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get caught up in this kind of crime, especially when there are multiple people involved. It’s also all too easy for these crimes to turn violent, with people being injured or killed.
These are just some of the reasons why it’s crucial for anyone facing charges for any kind of theft crime to take them seriously, because the State of California does. Getting legal guidance is a good first step.