Theft & Fraud Defense Attorney in Elk Grove & Sacramento

The charges we defend

Attorney Shrout defends the full range of theft and fraud allegations in California:

• Shoplifting (Penal Code 459.5) — entering a store intending to steal property worth $950 or less.
• Petty theft (Penal Code 484 / 488) — taking property valued at $950 or less.
• Grand theft (Penal Code 487) — taking property worth more than $950; a "wobbler" that can be a felony.
• Burglary (Penal Code 459) — entering a structure with intent to commit theft or another felony.
• Fraud and embezzlement — obtaining property or money through deception or breach of trust.

Why theft and fraud charges are serious

Beyond fines and possible jail, a theft or fraud conviction is a "crime of moral turpitude" — a mark of dishonesty that employers, licensing boards, and landlords weigh heavily. That is why the goal is not just to avoid jail, but to protect your record and your reputation.

Attorney Shrout brings a rare advantage to that fight: he used to prosecute cases for the Sacramento County District Attorney. He knows how theft and fraud charges are built, how the value of the property is calculated, and where the prosecution's proof of intent is thin.

Defense strategies

The right defense depends on the facts, but common strategies include:

• Lack of intent — theft and fraud require a specific intent to steal or deceive; a mistake or misunderstanding is not a crime.
• Claim of right — you genuinely believed the property was yours or that you were entitled to it.
• Mistaken identity — surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts are often unreliable.
• Challenging the value — disputing an inflated valuation to keep the charge a misdemeanor.
• Restitution and civil compromise — resolving the loss to persuade the prosecution to reduce or dismiss.
• Diversion — treatment or education programs for eligible first-time offenders that can end in dismissal.

Penalties in California

Petty theft and shoplifting are usually misdemeanors carrying up to six months to one year in county jail and fines. Grand theft under PC 487 is a wobbler; charged as a felony it can carry 16 months to 3 years, with more for high-value or aggravated cases. Burglary of a residence (first-degree) is a felony with significant prison exposure. Fraud and embezzlement penalties scale with the amount involved. Attorney Shrout works to keep charges low, pursue diversion, and protect you from the collateral consequences of a dishonesty conviction.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between petty theft and grand theft?

The line is generally $950. Theft of $950 or less is petty theft, usually a misdemeanor. Theft over $950 is grand theft under PC 487, a wobbler that can be charged as a felony. The value of the property is often the single most important fact.

Can a theft or fraud charge be reduced or dismissed?

Often, yes. Lack of intent, mistaken identity, a claim of right, or restitution and civil compromise can all lead to a reduction or dismissal. Eligible first-time offenders may qualify for diversion that ends in a clean record.

Is embezzlement a felony?

It depends on the amount. Embezzlement is charged as petty or grand theft based on value; over $950 it can be filed as felony grand theft. Because it is a crime of dishonesty that follows you professionally, early defense matters.

Why does the property's value matter so much?

Because California draws the misdemeanor-felony line largely at $950. Keeping a charge below that threshold, or challenging how the value was calculated, can change everything about the outcome.