
When you’re facing robbery or theft charges in Inglewood, California, the consequences can be life-altering. These serious property crime allegations can result in years in state prison, substantial fines, a permanent felony criminal record, and devastating collateral consequences that impact your employment, housing, professional licenses, and immigration status. Whether you’ve been charged with petty theft, grand theft, burglary, robbery, shoplifting, or any other theft-related offense, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who will fight aggressively to protect your rights and freedom. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide skilled, strategic defense representation to clients throughout Inglewood and Los Angeles County who are facing robbery and theft charges.
Inglewood is a vibrant, diverse city in Los Angeles County with a population of approximately 102,774 residents. Home to world-renowned venues like SoFi Stadium, The Forum, and the rapidly developing Hollywood Park district, Inglewood has experienced significant economic growth and transformation in recent years. However, like many urban communities in Southern California, property crimes including theft and robbery remain a serious concern for law enforcement and prosecutors.
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program[1], property crimes—which include burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson—represent the majority of crimes reported nationwide. In 2022, there were an estimated 1,954.4 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in the United States.
The California Department of Justice’s Criminal Justice Statistics Center[2] reports that theft-related offenses, including larceny-theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft, constitute a substantial portion of crimes reported statewide. Los Angeles County, which includes Inglewood, consistently reports high volumes of property crime due to its large population and urban density.
According to Neighborhood Scout crime data[3], property crime rates in Inglewood have fluctuated over recent years, with the city working to address these challenges through enhanced law enforcement, community programs, and economic development initiatives.
Understanding the specific charges you’re facing is the first critical step in building an effective defense strategy. California law defines multiple categories of theft and robbery offenses, each with different elements and penalties.
California Penal Code Section 484 defines theft as the unlawful taking of someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. Petty theft occurs when the value of the stolen property is $950 or less.
Petty theft is a misdemeanor punishable by:
Common examples of petty theft include shoplifting items under $950, stealing personal property, and taking merchandise from stores without paying.
Grand theft under Penal Code Section 487 occurs when the value of stolen property exceeds $950, or when specific types of property are stolen regardless of value. Grand theft includes:
Grand theft is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances and your criminal history.
Misdemeanor Grand Theft Penalties:
Felony Grand Theft Penalties:
Burglary under Penal Code Section 459 is defined as entering a building, room, or locked vehicle with the intent to commit theft or any felony. Importantly, you do not actually need to complete the theft—merely entering with the intent is sufficient for a burglary conviction.
California distinguishes between first-degree and second-degree burglary:
First-Degree Burglary (Residential Burglary):
Second-Degree Burglary (Commercial Burglary):
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department[4], burglary offenses are prosecuted aggressively throughout the county, with significant resources dedicated to investigating and prosecuting these crimes.
Robbery under Penal Code Section 211 is the taking of personal property from someone’s immediate presence, against their will, by means of force or fear. Robbery is considered a violent felony and is always prosecuted as a felony, never a misdemeanor.
California recognizes two degrees of robbery:
First-Degree Robbery: Occurs when the robbery involves:
First-degree robbery is punishable by:
Second-Degree Robbery: All other robberies not classified as first-degree
Second-degree robbery is punishable by:
According to the California Department of Justice[2], robbery is classified as a violent crime and is tracked separately from property crimes due to its use of force or fear.
If you have a prior conviction for certain theft-related offenses and are convicted of petty theft again, you can be charged with petty theft with a prior under Penal Code Section 488. This is a wobbler offense punishable by:
Receiving stolen property under Penal Code Section 496 occurs when you buy, receive, conceal, sell, or withhold property that you know or should know is stolen. This is a wobbler offense with penalties similar to grand theft.
To convict you of receiving stolen property, prosecutors must prove:
Carjacking under Penal Code Section 215 is the taking of a motor vehicle from another person’s immediate presence, against their will, by means of force or fear, with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive them of the vehicle.
Carjacking is always a felony punishable by:
Vehicle Code Section 10851 prohibits driving or taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. Unlike carjacking, this offense does not require force or fear.
VC § 10851 is a wobbler offense punishable by:
Shoplifting under Penal Code Section 459.5 is entering a commercial establishment during regular business hours with the intent to steal property worth $950 or less. This offense was created by Proposition 47 (2014) to reduce certain theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
Shoplifting is a misdemeanor punishable by:
Understanding the scope of theft and robbery in your community provides important context for these charges. According to the City of Inglewood[5], local law enforcement tracks and reports crime statistics to help residents understand public safety trends.
The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer[6] provides comprehensive statistics showing that property crimes, while declining in some areas, remain a significant concern for law enforcement agencies nationwide. In California specifically, the California Department of Justice[2] reports that larceny-theft is the most commonly reported property crime, followed by burglary and motor vehicle theft.
Los Angeles County, with its population of over 10 million residents, experiences substantial volumes of property crime. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department[4], the department dedicates significant resources to investigating theft, burglary, and robbery offenses throughout unincorporated areas and contract cities.
Data from Neighborhood Scout[3] indicates that property crime rates in Inglewood vary by neighborhood, with some areas experiencing higher rates than others. The city has implemented various crime prevention initiatives in recent years aimed at reducing theft and property crimes.
The Bureau of Justice Statistics[7] reports that nationwide, only about 17% of property crimes result in arrest, making it one of the most difficult crime categories to solve. However, advances in surveillance technology, DNA evidence, and investigative techniques have improved clearance rates in some jurisdictions.
These statistics demonstrate why theft and robbery charges are prosecuted aggressively in Inglewood and throughout Los Angeles County—and why you need an experienced defense attorney who can challenge the evidence and protect your rights.
Beyond the immediate criminal penalties of jail time and fines, a conviction for theft or robbery creates a permanent criminal record that can devastate your future:
Theft and robbery convictions involve crimes of “moral turpitude”—offenses that reflect dishonesty, fraud, or lack of integrity. This makes employment extremely difficult because:
According to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission[8], while employers cannot automatically exclude all individuals with criminal records, theft and dishonesty offenses are considered particularly relevant to employment decisions.
For non-citizens, theft and robbery convictions can trigger severe immigration consequences. Under federal immigration law, these offenses may constitute:
Even lawful permanent residents (green card holders) can be deported for theft and robbery convictions. If you are not a U.S. citizen, it is absolutely critical that your defense attorney understands immigration law and structures any plea agreement to minimize or avoid immigration consequences.
If you hold or are seeking a professional license, a theft or robbery conviction can result in:
California’s professional licensing boards—including the Medical Board, Board of Registered Nursing, Real Estate Commission, Contractors State License Board, and State Bar—all consider theft convictions as serious grounds for discipline.
Landlords routinely conduct criminal background checks on prospective tenants. A theft or robbery conviction can:
A criminal conviction can affect your ability to:
Under California and federal law, a felony conviction results in a lifetime prohibition on owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms. Even misdemeanor theft convictions can affect your ability to obtain concealed carry permits.
Beyond criminal penalties, victims of theft and robbery can file civil lawsuits seeking:
A criminal conviction makes it much easier for victims to prevail in civil court.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we have successfully defended hundreds of clients against theft and robbery charges using strategic defenses tailored to the unique facts of each case. Some of the most effective defenses include:
Theft and robbery require specific intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property. If you did not have this intent, you should not be convicted. Common scenarios include:
We gather evidence including witness statements, text messages, emails, and documentation establishing that you lacked the requisite criminal intent.
The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of the charged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. In many theft and robbery cases, the evidence is weak, circumstantial, or contradictory. We challenge insufficient evidence by:
In robbery and theft cases, witnesses often make mistakes about who committed the crime, especially when:
We challenge eyewitness identifications through cross-examination, expert testimony on the unreliability of identifications, and alibi evidence.
Unfortunately, people sometimes make false accusations of theft or robbery for various reasons:
We thoroughly investigate the accuser’s credibility, motivations, and background to expose false allegations.
If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, search, or arrest, we can file motions to suppress evidence or dismiss the charges. Common violations include:
Evidence obtained in violation of your constitutional rights must be excluded from trial under the “exclusionary rule,” often resulting in dismissal of charges.
For robbery charges under Penal Code § 211, prosecutors must prove you used force or fear to take property. If the alleged victim willingly gave you the property, or if no force or fear was involved, the appropriate charge would be theft, not robbery.
We examine all evidence to determine whether force or fear was actually used, or whether the incident has been exaggerated or mischaracterized.
For theft charges, the value of the allegedly stolen property determines whether the offense is petty theft (under $950) or grand theft (over $950). We often challenge the prosecution’s valuation by:
Even small differences in valuation can mean the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony.
California’s Proposition 47, passed by voters in 2014, reclassified certain theft and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. If you were previously convicted of a felony that is now classified as a misdemeanor under Prop 47, you may be eligible to petition for:
This can provide significant relief and reduce collateral consequences.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide comprehensive, personalized defense representation tailored to your unique circumstances. Our approach includes:
Time is critical in theft and robbery cases. We begin working immediately to:
Early investigation often uncovers evidence that leads to dismissal or reduction of charges.
In many cases, we can intervene before formal charges are filed by presenting evidence and arguments to prosecutors demonstrating:
Our early intervention has prevented charges from being filed in numerous cases.
We leverage our extensive experience and relationships with Los Angeles County prosecutors to negotiate favorable outcomes whenever possible, including:
When negotiation does not produce an acceptable result, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who excel at:
We have achieved numerous not guilty verdicts and hung juries in theft and robbery trials.
Even after conviction, we continue fighting for you by:
Theft and robbery cases in Inglewood are prosecuted in the Inglewood Courthouse, part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, located at:
Inglewood Courthouse One Regent Street Inglewood, CA 90301
Understanding the court process helps you make informed decisions and reduces anxiety about what to expect.
Most theft and robbery cases begin with arrest, which can occur:
After arrest, you will be booked, fingerprinted, photographed, and held pending arraignment. Depending on the charges and your criminal history, you may be eligible for release on bail or your own recognizance.
The arraignment is your first court appearance, typically within 48 hours of arrest if you are in custody. At the arraignment:
We always advise clients to plead not guilty at arraignment, preserving all legal rights and allowing time to investigate and negotiate.
After arraignment, there will be one or more pretrial conferences where your attorney will:
The vast majority of cases are resolved during pretrial negotiations.
If charged with a felony, you are entitled to a preliminary hearing within 10 court days (if in custody) or 60 days (if out of custody). At the preliminary hearing:
Preliminary hearings provide valuable opportunities to assess the prosecution’s case and lock in witness testimony.
If your case proceeds to trial, you have the constitutional right to a jury trial. The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. At trial:
If found not guilty, you are acquitted. If convicted, the case proceeds to sentencing.
If convicted or after entering a plea, the judge will sentence you at a sentencing hearing, considering:
We present compelling evidence and arguments for the most lenient sentence possible.
In appropriate cases, defendants may be eligible for diversion programs or alternative sentencing:
Under California Penal Code § 1001.95, courts have discretion to grant pretrial diversion for most misdemeanor and some felony offenses. If granted diversion:
The court may allow you to enter a plea, defer judgment, and complete counseling, community service, or other programs. Upon successful completion, you withdraw your plea and charges are dismissed.
Under Penal Code § 1001.36, defendants with qualifying mental health disorders may be eligible for mental health diversion, with charges dismissed upon successful completion of treatment.
For theft offenses driven by substance abuse, specialized drug court programs may be available, providing treatment instead of incarceration.
For certain drug-related theft offenses, Proposition 36 allows treatment instead of jail for first and second-time offenders.
When your freedom and future are at stake, you need a criminal defense attorney with:
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience defending clients against all types of theft and robbery charges throughout Inglewood, Los Angeles County, and Southern California. We have handled thousands of cases ranging from petty theft to armed robbery.
We have achieved outstanding results including:
We practice regularly in the Inglewood Courthouse and throughout Los Angeles County. Our established relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court staff allow us to navigate your case more effectively.
We treat every client as an individual with unique circumstances and goals. We take time to listen to your story, understand your priorities, and develop a defense strategy tailored to your needs. You work directly with an experienced attorney, not a paralegal.
We are fluent in both English and Spanish (Hablamos Español), ensuring clear communication with you and your family members. This is especially important in theft and robbery cases where details matter.
Theft and robbery arrests often happen at night or on weekends. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate assistance. We can meet with you in custody, post bail, and begin working on your defense immediately.
We are not afraid to take your case to trial when necessary. We thoroughly investigate every case, challenge prosecution evidence at every stage, and fight aggressively to protect your rights and freedom.
California’s Three Strikes Law significantly increases sentences for defendants with prior serious or violent felony convictions. Robbery and residential burglary are both “strike” offenses that can trigger enhanced sentencing:
If you have prior strikes, even a relatively minor new offense can result in dramatically increased penalties. We work aggressively to:
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation[9], the Three Strikes Law has resulted in significantly longer sentences for repeat offenders, making it critical to have experienced legal representation.
California’s Proposition 47, passed by voters in November 2014, reclassified certain non-violent property and drug crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. Offenses affected include:
According to the California Courts[10], individuals who have completed their sentences for felony convictions that are now misdemeanors under Prop 47 can petition to have their convictions redesignated. This can provide significant benefits including:
We assist clients in filing Proposition 47 petitions and fighting for relief from prior felony convictions.
Robbery involves taking property from someone’s immediate presence by force or fear, while theft involves taking property without the use of force or fear. Robbery is always a felony and carries much more severe penalties than most theft offenses. Essentially, robbery is “theft plus force or fear.”
Yes. Burglary is entering a structure with intent to commit theft or a felony, while theft is the actual taking of property. You can be convicted of both offenses arising from the same incident, though they may merge for sentencing purposes.
Returning stolen property does not automatically result in dismissal of charges, but it can be a mitigating factor that prosecutors and judges consider. It may help in negotiating reduced charges, diversion programs, or lenient sentencing. We always advise clients to work with an attorney before attempting to return property.
Under Proposition 47, shoplifting merchandise worth $950 or less from a store during business hours is a misdemeanor. However, if the value exceeds $950, if you have certain prior convictions, or if other aggravating factors exist, you can be charged with burglary or grand theft, which are more serious offenses.
Not always. For misdemeanor theft offenses and some felony grand theft cases, defendants often receive probation instead of jail time, especially for first offenses. However, robbery always carries the possibility of state prison. The specific sentence depends on the circumstances, your criminal history, and the skill of your defense attorney in presenting mitigating factors.
Yes, in many cases. Under California Penal Code § 1203.4, individuals who successfully complete probation can petition to have their conviction dismissed (expunged). While an expunged conviction still appears in certain contexts (professional licensing, immigration), it can significantly help with employment and housing. Robbery convictions and other serious felonies may have more limitations on expungement.
Do not resist or argue with store security. Exercise your right to remain silent and immediately request an attorney. Do not make statements to security personnel or police. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. We can often resolve shoplifting cases favorably, especially for first-time offenders.
Legal fees vary depending on the complexity of the case, whether it proceeds to trial, and other factors. We offer free consultations where we discuss your case and provide transparent information about our fees. We also offer payment plans to make quality legal representation accessible.
Yes. Theft and robbery convictions can have severe immigration consequences including deportation, inadmissibility, and denial of naturalization. Robbery and certain theft offenses can be classified as aggravated felonies or crimes involving moral turpitude under immigration law. It is critical to work with an attorney who understands both criminal and immigration law.
Burglary requires entering a structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony, while trespassing is simply entering or remaining on property without permission. Trespassing is a much less serious offense, typically a misdemeanor, and does not require proof of intent to commit theft or another crime.
If you have been arrested or charged with robbery, theft, burglary, or any other property crime in Inglewood, California, time is of the essence. The sooner we begin working on your case, the better your chances of achieving a favorable outcome. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide aggressive, strategic defense representation to protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.
We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss your case, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide immediate assistance when you need it most.
Don’t face robbery or theft charges alone. Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista today and let us fight for you.
Attorney Armando Josué Cespedes is rated 5.0 on Avvo, with 34 five-star reviews from clients praising his dedication, professionalism, and results. Many note how his trial skills and attention to detail led to reduced charges or outright dismissals.












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