Facing robbery or theft charges in Pasadena? You’re confronting serious criminal accusations that threaten your freedom, your livelihood, and your future. With property crime rates in Pasadena significantly elevated[1], standing at 26 per one thousand population according to crime data analysis, and your chance of becoming a victim of property crime being 1 in 38, law enforcement and prosecutors pursue these cases aggressively. The consequences of a robbery or theft conviction extend far beyond jail time—they include permanent criminal records, devastating employment consequences, and lifelong stigma.
At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide strategic, aggressive defense for individuals charged with robbery, theft, burglary, and all property crimes throughout Pasadena and Los Angeles County. Our criminal defense team knows the Pasadena court system intimately, understands the tactics prosecutors use, and has the proven experience necessary to fight for the best possible outcome in your case.
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Pasadena, a city of approximately 137,195 residents located in Los Angeles County, faces significant challenges with property crime. Understanding the local crime landscape helps illustrate why these charges are prosecuted so vigorously and why you need experienced legal representation.
According to recent data from the Pasadena Police Department[2], crime statistics through January 2025 reveal troubling trends. The department reported 158 robberies, 699 burglaries, and 340 motor vehicle thefts year-to-date. These numbers reflect the ongoing property crime challenges Pasadena faces despite law enforcement’s best efforts.
City crime statistics[3] show that the Pasadena Police Department has transitioned to the California Incident Based Reporting System (CIBRS), providing more detailed tracking of property crimes including robbery, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. This enhanced reporting demonstrates law enforcement’s commitment to addressing property crime—and their determination to secure convictions.
The Pasadena Police Department’s July 2024 crime report[4] documented several notable robbery incidents, including an armed robbery at a hotel on East Colorado Boulevard where a suspect with a firearm forcibly took a victim’s purse, and a purse theft at a restaurant on East Green Street where the suspect punched the victim during a struggle. The report also highlighted ongoing issues with package thefts, catalytic converter thefts, and activities by organized regional theft groups, including South American Theft Groups using advanced techniques to target properties.
According to FBI crime data analyzed by NeighborhoodScout[1], Pasadena has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes. Property crime is particularly prevalent, with residents facing a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a property crime victim—a rate significantly higher than the national average.
AreaVibes crime statistics[5] indicate that while violent crime in Pasadena decreased by 9% year over year, property crime increased by 4%, and the total crime rate increased by 2%. Property crimes are 1.30 times more common than the California average and 1.53 times more than the national average.
City-Data.com reports[6] that Pasadena’s 2024 crime index of 265 was higher than in 85.4% of U.S. cities, and over the past five years, the city has experienced increasing property crime trends.
California Penal Code Section 211 defines robbery as the taking of personal property in the possession of another, from their person or immediate presence, against their will, accomplished by means of force or fear. Robbery is always a felony in California—it cannot be reduced to a misdemeanor—and it counts as a violent felony “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law.
For prosecutors to secure a robbery conviction in Pasadena, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt several essential elements. First, you must have taken property that was not your own. Second, the property must have been taken from another person’s possession or immediate presence. Third, the property must have been taken against the person’s will. Fourth, you must have used force or fear to take the property or to prevent the person from resisting. Finally, when you used force or fear, you must have intended to deprive the owner of the property permanently or for such an extended period that the owner would be deprived of a major portion of its value or enjoyment.
The “force or fear” requirement is what distinguishes robbery from theft. Force means physical force greater than that necessary to simply take the property. Fear means the victim was actually afraid, and the fear allowed you to take the property. Fear can be induced through words, conduct, or even the circumstances of the encounter.
The “immediate presence” requirement means the property was sufficiently within the victim’s physical control that they could have kept possession if not prevented by force or fear. Property can be in someone’s immediate presence even if they are some distance away, as long as they retain physical control and could have prevented the taking without the use of force or fear.
California law recognizes first degree robbery under Penal Code Section 212.5(a) in specific circumstances. First degree robbery includes robbery of any person who is using an automated teller machine (ATM) or who has just used an ATM and is in the vicinity of the ATM, robbery of any driver or passenger of a bus, taxi, cable car, streetcar, trackless trolley, or other vehicle operated for transportation for hire, and robbery committed in an inhabited dwelling house, vessel, or trailer coach, including an inhabited portion of any other building.
First degree robbery carries enhanced penalties of three, four, or six years in state prison. If the first degree robbery occurred within an inhabited dwelling and was committed by you in concert with two or more other persons actually present in the dwelling (home invasion robbery), the penalties increase to three, six, or nine years in state prison.
All robberies that do not meet the criteria for first degree robbery are classified as second degree robbery under Penal Code Section 212.5(b). This includes most street robberies, commercial robberies of stores and businesses, and robberies in parking lots or other public places.
Second degree robbery is punishable by two, three, or five years in state prison.
An important distinction in California robbery law is that robbery is counted based on the number of victims, not the number of items taken. If you take property from two different people using force or fear, you can be charged with two counts of robbery even if you only took one item. Conversely, if you take multiple items from a single victim using force or fear, you face only one count of robbery.
This distinction can dramatically affect your sentencing exposure in cases involving multiple victims.
California recognizes several categories of theft offenses, each with different elements and penalties. Understanding which charges you face is essential to building an effective defense strategy.
Petty theft is defined under California Penal Code Sections 484 and 488 as the unlawful taking of property valued at $950 or less. Petty theft is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and fines up to $1,000.
Common examples of petty theft include shoplifting items worth less than $950, stealing small amounts of money or property, and taking property that does not fall into special categories that elevate the charge to grand theft.
Grand theft under California Penal Code Section 487 occurs when property taken exceeds $950 in value, when property is taken directly from another person (regardless of value), or when the property stolen is a firearm or automobile (regardless of value).
Grand theft is a “wobbler” offense, meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the circumstances and your criminal history. Misdemeanor grand theft carries up to one year in county jail. Felony grand theft is punishable by sixteen months, two years, or three years in county jail under California’s realignment legislation.
Taking a motor vehicle, regardless of its value, constitutes grand theft auto under California Penal Code Section 487(d). This charge applies even if the vehicle is worth less than $950. Grand theft auto is a wobbler offense punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony.
Theft of any firearm, regardless of value, is always charged as a felony under California law and carries sixteen months, two years, or three years in county jail. Unlike other grand theft charges, grand theft firearm cannot be reduced to a misdemeanor.
California Penal Code Section 459.5 defines shoplifting as entering a commercial establishment with intent to commit larceny while that establishment is open during regular business hours, where the value of the property does not exceed $950. Shoplifting was created by Proposition 47 in 2014 and is charged as a misdemeanor unless you have certain prior convictions.
Shoplifting carries up to six months in county jail. However, if the value exceeds $950, or if you entered the establishment after business hours, you can be charged with burglary instead, which is far more serious.
Burglary is defined under California Penal Code Section 459 as entering a room, structure, or locked vehicle with the intent to commit theft or any felony. Burglary does not require that you actually commit the theft or felony—merely entering with that intent is sufficient.
First degree burglary (residential burglary) involves entering an inhabited dwelling and is always a felony punishable by two, four, or six years in state prison. First degree burglary is also a violent felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law.
Second degree burglary (commercial burglary) involves entering any structure other than an inhabited dwelling. It is a wobbler offense punishable by up to one year in county jail as a misdemeanor or by sixteen months, two years, or three years in county jail as a felony.
California Penal Code Section 496 makes it a crime to buy, receive, conceal, sell, or withhold property that you know has been obtained through theft or extortion. This charge often accompanies theft and robbery charges.
Receiving stolen property is a wobbler offense. As a misdemeanor, it carries up to one year in county jail. As a felony, it is punishable by sixteen months, two years, or three years in county jail.
California Penal Code Section 490.4 criminalizes organized retail theft—acting in concert with others to steal merchandise from one or more stores with the intent to sell, exchange, or return the items for value. This charge targets organized theft rings and can be filed as either a misdemeanor or felony even when individual thefts are below $950.
California law provides numerous sentencing enhancements that can dramatically increase penalties for robbery and theft convictions. Understanding these enhancements is critical because they can transform a moderate sentence into decades in prison.
California’s “10-20-Life” law under Penal Code Section 12022.53 imposes severe enhancements for firearm use during robbery. If you personally use a firearm during robbery, you face an additional and consecutive 10 years in state prison. If you personally and intentionally discharge a firearm, you face an additional and consecutive 20 years. If you personally and intentionally discharge a firearm causing great bodily injury or death, you face an additional and consecutive 25 years to life.
These enhancements are mandatory and must be served in addition to the underlying robbery sentence. They cannot be stricken by the judge except in extraordinary circumstances.
If you use a deadly weapon other than a firearm during robbery, you face an additional consecutive one-year enhancement under Penal Code Section 12022(b).
If anyone suffers great bodily injury during a robbery, you face an additional consecutive three-year enhancement under Penal Code Section 12022.7. Great bodily injury means significant or substantial physical injury beyond minor harm.
Robbery is a violent felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law. This means a robbery conviction counts as a strike on your record. If you are later convicted of another strike offense, your sentence will be doubled. If you accumulate three strikes, you face a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.
The Three Strikes Law makes avoiding a robbery conviction absolutely critical, even if you have no prior criminal record, because that first strike will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Effective defense of robbery and theft charges requires thorough investigation, creative legal thinking, and aggressive advocacy. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we employ a wide range of defense strategies depending on your case’s specific facts.
The key distinction between robbery and theft is the use of force or fear. If prosecutors cannot prove you used force or fear to take the property, you cannot be convicted of robbery. Perhaps the alleged victim gave you the property voluntarily, or you took it without any confrontation. Perhaps there was a confrontation, but no force or fear was used.
Successfully arguing lack of force or fear can result in robbery charges being reduced to theft charges, which carry significantly lighter penalties and do not count as strikes.
If you honestly believed you had a right to the property taken, you cannot be convicted of theft or robbery. This claim of right defense applies even if your belief was mistaken, as long as it was genuine.
For example, if you took property believing it belonged to you, or believing the other person owed it to you, or believing you had permission to take it, you may have a valid claim of right defense. Note that the claim of right defense does not justify using force that causes injury—you can still be charged with assault or battery—but it defeats the theft or robbery charge itself.
Theft and robbery require intent to permanently deprive the owner of property, or to deprive them for such an extended period that they lose a major portion of the property’s value or enjoyment. If you only intended to borrow the property temporarily and return it, you lack the required intent for conviction.
This defense commonly arises in cases involving vehicles, where you may have taken a car intending only to use it briefly and return it.
The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of robbery or theft beyond a reasonable doubt. If their evidence is insufficient, you must be acquitted. Common evidentiary weaknesses include lack of witnesses beyond the alleged victim, whose credibility may be questionable; absence of physical evidence linking you to the crime; unreliable identification by victims or witnesses who had poor observation conditions, were under stress, or are making cross-racial identifications; and gaps in surveillance video or other documentary evidence.
Attacking insufficient evidence requires careful analysis of every aspect of the prosecution’s case, identifying weaknesses and highlighting reasonable doubt.
False accusations of theft and robbery occur more frequently than most people realize. Common motivations include revenge for personal disputes or relationship conflicts, attempt to explain away missing property or money that was actually lost or used for other purposes, insurance fraud where the “victim” claims property was stolen to collect insurance money, child custody battles where one parent fabricates criminal accusations against the other, and misidentification where the victim genuinely believes you committed the crime but is mistaken.
Defending against false accusations requires thorough investigation of the accuser’s background, motivations, and credibility. Text messages, emails, social media posts, and witness statements can reveal false accusers’ true motives.
Robbery and theft often occur in chaotic circumstances with poor lighting, brief observation periods, and stressed victims. These conditions create high risk of mistaken identification. Studies consistently show that eyewitness identification is far less reliable than most people believe, particularly in cross-racial identifications.
If you have an alibi showing you were elsewhere when the crime occurred, or if you can demonstrate that the identification procedures were suggestive or unreliable, you may establish mistaken identity.
If police violated your constitutional rights during investigation or arrest, evidence obtained through those violations must be suppressed. Common violations include illegal searches of your person, vehicle, or residence without a warrant or valid exception to the warrant requirement; failure to advise you of Miranda rights before custodial interrogation; coerced confessions obtained through threats, promises, or psychological pressure; unlawful arrest without probable cause; and illegal identification procedures such as unduly suggestive lineups or photo arrays.
Suppression of illegally obtained evidence can destroy the prosecution’s case, forcing dismissal of charges.
In some cases, the alleged victim actually gave you permission to take the property, but later claimed it was stolen. Perhaps you had permission to borrow something but a dispute arose about when it should be returned. Perhaps the victim gave you property during a relationship but now claims you stole it after the relationship ended.
Establishing consent defeats theft and robbery charges because it eliminates the requirement that property be taken without permission.
While voluntary intoxication is not a complete defense to theft or robbery, it can negate the specific intent required for these crimes. If you were so intoxicated that you could not form the intent to permanently deprive someone of property, you cannot be convicted of theft or robbery, though you might still face lesser charges.
This defense requires expert testimony and careful presentation, but it can be effective in appropriate cases.
If you committed theft because of an emergency situation or because someone threatened you with immediate harm unless you did so, you may have a necessity or duress defense. These defenses are narrow and require showing that you faced immediate danger and had no reasonable legal alternative.
Understanding why prosecutors pursue these cases so vigorously helps explain what you’re facing and why experienced legal representation is essential.
First, property crime rates in Pasadena remain elevated, creating political and community pressure on law enforcement and prosecutors to demonstrate they are tough on crime. Your case becomes part of broader crime-fighting efforts, and prosecutors may be less willing to offer favorable plea bargains or consider mitigating circumstances.
Second, robbery is classified as a violent felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law. Prosecutors view robbery convictions as tools for removing repeat offenders from the community through enhanced sentencing. Even if you have no criminal history, prosecutors know that a robbery conviction creates a strike that will follow you forever.
Third, many robbery and theft cases involve identifiable, sympathetic victims who actively participate in prosecution. Unlike victimless crimes where witnesses are reluctant to cooperate, property crime victims often strongly desire to see charges pursued. Prosecutors leverage this victim cooperation to build stronger cases and secure harsher sentences.
Fourth, California has allocated substantial resources to combating organized retail theft and property crime. Public Policy Institute of California research[7] documents rising commercial burglary across urban California counties, with Los Angeles County experiencing a 29% increase. This has resulted in dedicated prosecution units and enhanced focus on property crimes.
Fifth, property crime cases often involve surveillance video and physical evidence that prosecutors believe make conviction easier to obtain. They may be less willing to negotiate when they believe they have strong evidence, even if that evidence has weaknesses an experienced attorney can exploit.
Beyond the direct criminal penalties of jail time, fines, and probation, robbery and theft convictions create severe collateral consequences that affect virtually every aspect of your life.
A theft or robbery conviction creates a permanent criminal record visible to all employers. Property crime convictions signal dishonesty and untrustworthiness, making employment extremely difficult to obtain. Many employers have blanket policies against hiring anyone with theft-related convictions, particularly for positions involving cash handling, access to merchandise, financial responsibilities, or positions of trust.
Professional licenses in fields such as real estate, financial services, nursing, pharmacy, teaching, and law enforcement may be denied, suspended, or revoked based on theft or robbery convictions. Even if you manage to find employment despite your conviction, advancement opportunities will be severely limited.
For non-citizens, theft and robbery convictions can trigger deportation proceedings. Robbery is an aggravated felony under immigration law, making you deportable and permanently inadmissible to the United States. Even petty theft can be a crime involving moral turpitude, triggering immigration consequences depending on the sentence imposed.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, it is absolutely critical that your criminal defense attorney understands immigration law and works to avoid convictions that trigger deportation.
Landlords routinely deny rental applications from individuals with theft or robbery convictions. Background checks reveal these convictions, and landlords view them as indicators of risk. Public housing authorities may deny or terminate housing assistance. Some homeowners associations prohibit residents with certain criminal convictions.
Finding stable housing with a theft or robbery conviction on your record is extremely difficult and may force you into substandard or unstable living situations.
Colleges and universities require disclosure of criminal convictions. Theft and robbery convictions may result in denial of admission or expulsion from educational programs. Federal student financial aid eligibility can be affected by drug-related theft convictions. Scholarship opportunities may be lost.
Many professions require state licensing, and licensing boards consider criminal convictions. Theft and robbery convictions are viewed as directly relevant to an applicant’s honesty and trustworthiness. Licenses may be denied in fields including healthcare (nursing, pharmacy, medicine), financial services (accounting, insurance, securities), education (teaching credentials), real estate, security services, and numerous other occupations.
Felony theft and robbery convictions result in lifetime prohibition on firearm ownership under federal and California law. You will be prohibited from owning, purchasing, or possessing firearms or ammunition.
The social stigma of a theft or robbery conviction extends beyond legal penalties. Family relationships may be damaged. Romantic relationships suffer when you must disclose a criminal conviction. Community reputation is tarnished. The psychological burden of carrying a criminal record affects self-esteem and mental health.
Understanding how your case will proceed through the Pasadena criminal justice system helps you make informed decisions about your defense.
Most robbery and theft cases begin with arrest, either at the scene or after police investigation. Following arrest, you are transported to the Pasadena Police Department for booking. California law requires that you be brought before a judge within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays) for arraignment.
If you can post bail, you may be released pending arraignment. Bail amounts vary depending on the charges—typically $5,000 to $20,000 for theft charges, and $25,000 to $100,000 or more for robbery charges depending on severity and enhancements.
At arraignment in the Pasadena courthouse, the judge informs you of the charges, advises you of your constitutional rights, and asks for your plea. You should plead not guilty at arraignment to preserve all your rights and defense options. The judge also addresses bail and sets future court dates.
The pre-trial phase is where most criminal defense work occurs. Your attorney will review all evidence, including police reports, witness statements, surveillance video, and forensic reports; interview witnesses and conduct independent investigation; hire expert witnesses when appropriate; file motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence; file motions to dismiss charges based on insufficient evidence; and negotiate with prosecutors regarding possible plea agreements.
Pre-trial proceedings for theft cases typically last two to four months for misdemeanors and four to eight months for felonies. Robbery cases often take longer due to their complexity.
Felony robbery, grand theft, and burglary charges require a preliminary hearing where prosecutors must establish probable cause that you committed the charged offenses. Your attorney can cross-examine witnesses, challenge evidence, and assess the prosecution’s case strength. If probable cause is not established, charges must be dismissed.
Most criminal cases resolve through negotiated plea agreements. Your attorney will work to secure reduced charges, dismissed enhancements, lighter sentences, or alternative dispositions such as diversion programs. The strength of the prosecution’s case, your criminal history, and the specific circumstances of your case all affect negotiation outcomes.
If your case proceeds to trial, you have the right to trial by jury. Robbery trials typically last one to two weeks. Theft trials are usually shorter, lasting two to five days depending on complexity. At trial, prosecutors must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney will cross-examine prosecution witnesses, present defense evidence, and argue that reasonable doubt exists.
If convicted after trial or through a plea agreement, the judge imposes sentence. For misdemeanors, sentencing usually occurs immediately. For felonies, sentencing occurs at a separate hearing several weeks later, allowing preparation of a probation report and presentation of mitigation evidence.
The consequences of robbery and theft convictions are too severe to face without skilled legal representation. At Tu Defensor Criminalista, we provide the aggressive, strategic defense you need.
Our attorneys regularly appear in Pasadena courts and know the judges, prosecutors, and court procedures intimately. This local knowledge allows us to develop strategies specifically tailored to the Pasadena courthouse and anticipate how judges and prosecutors will approach your case.
California theft and robbery law is complex and constantly evolving. Our attorneys stay current on changes in the law, understand how different defenses apply to different situations, and know how to leverage legal technicalities in your favor.
We conduct thorough investigation of every case, including interviewing witnesses before memories fade; obtaining surveillance video before it is erased; examining the crime scene; hiring expert witnesses to challenge prosecution evidence; conducting background investigations of alleged victims and witnesses; and analyzing physical evidence and forensic reports.
This comprehensive investigation frequently uncovers evidence that police overlooked and reveals weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Many theft and robbery cases resolve through negotiated plea agreements. Our negotiation skills and reputation for thorough trial preparation give us credibility with prosecutors, often resulting in better outcomes than less experienced attorneys achieve.
We present mitigating evidence effectively, highlight weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, propose alternative dispositions, and leverage trial risks to secure favorable agreements.
If your case goes to trial, you need attorneys with proven trial skills. We prepare meticulously, cross-examine witnesses aggressively, present evidence persuasively, and argue legal issues effectively. Our trial experience gives you the best chance of acquittal when your case proceeds to verdict.
Robbery requires the use of force or fear to take property from another person’s presence. Theft is taking property without permission but without using force or fear. Robbery is always a felony and counts as a violent strike. Theft can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of property taken and other circumstances.
Yes. If your attorney can demonstrate that force or fear was not actually used, robbery charges may be reduced to grand theft or petty theft. This is a critical distinction because theft charges carry lighter sentences and do not count as strikes under the Three Strikes Law.
Not necessarily. Many first-time theft offenders avoid jail through negotiated plea agreements that include probation, community service, restitution, and theft prevention programs. For more serious offenses like robbery or felony grand theft, jail or prison time becomes more likely even for first offenders. However, an experienced attorney can present mitigating factors and argue for alternatives to incarceration.
If you only intended to temporarily deprive the owner of property and return it, you may lack the intent required for theft or robbery conviction. However, prosecutors often argue that any unauthorized taking shows intent to deprive, so this defense requires careful presentation by an experienced attorney.
Yes. False theft accusations occur frequently in domestic disputes, business conflicts, and insurance fraud schemes. Defending against false accusations requires thorough investigation of the accuser’s credibility, motives, and the surrounding circumstances. Text messages, emails, and witness statements can reveal false accusations.
Shoplifting items worth $950 or less is typically charged as a misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 459.5, punishable by up to six months in jail. However, if you have prior theft convictions, or if the value exceeds $950, or if you entered after business hours, you may face more serious burglary charges. Additionally, stores often pursue civil demand letters seeking payment of civil penalties.
Robbery is a violent felony strike under California’s Three Strikes Law. A robbery conviction counts as your first strike. If you are later convicted of another strike offense, your sentence doubles. With three strikes, you face 25 years to life in prison. This makes avoiding a robbery conviction absolutely critical.
Many theft convictions can be expunged under California Penal Code Section 1203.4 if you successfully complete probation, pay all fines and restitution, and are not currently charged with another offense. Expungement allows you to withdraw your guilty plea and have the case dismissed, providing significant benefits for employment and housing.
If you’ve been served with a Robbery and Theft in Pasadena, time is running out. Don’t face this crisis alone. Contact Tu Defensor Criminalista immediately for a free, confidential consultation about your case.
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We handle cases at Pasadena Superior Courthouse and throughout Los Angeles County’s court system.
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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