If you or a loved one are facing a charge for felony grand theft in California, the potential penalties can be life-changing, involving prison time and heavy fines. Navigating the California legal system is overwhelming, especially when a high bail amount stands between you and your freedom. This guide breaks down the laws, the specific punishments for grand theft, and how you can secure a fast release through Cali Bail Bonds.
Understanding Grand Theft Under California Penal Code 487
In California, theft is divided into two main categories: Petty Theft and Grand Theft. The distinction usually comes down to the value of the property taken.
Legal Definition of PC 487
Under Penal Code 487, grand theft is defined as the unlawful taking of someone else’s property when the value of that property exceeds $950. If the value is $950 or less, it is typically charged as petty theft (PC 488).
The Four Theories of Grand Theft
California prosecutors can prove grand theft using four different legal theories:
- Larceny: The physical carrying away of someone else’s tangible property.
- Embezzlement: Taking property that was entrusted to you (e.g., an employee taking money from a cash register).
- False Pretenses: Using deceit or lies to convince someone to give you ownership of their property.
- Trick: Using fraud to get someone to let you take possession of property, even if they don’t give you the legal title.
Automatic Grand Theft (Regardless of Value)
Some items are so sensitive that taking them is automatically “Grand Theft,” even if they are worth less than $950:
- Grand Theft Auto: Stealing any motor vehicle.
- Grand Theft Firearm: Stealing a gun of any kind.
- Theft from a Person: Directly taking items from someone’s physical body (like pickpocketing).
- Specific Crops/Animals: Stealing farm crops like avocados or citrus fruits worth over $250.
Arrested for Grand Theft? The Immediate Bail Process
When someone is arrested for grand theft, the first few hours are critical. The defendant will be taken to a local station or county jail for “booking,” which includes finger-printing and a background check.
The California Bail Schedule
You do not have to wait for a judge to set bail. Every county in California has a “Bail Schedule” that lists a pre-set dollar amount for specific crimes. For felony grand theft, bail often starts at $20,000 to $50,000, though it can go much higher if a firearm was involved or if the defendant has a prior record.
24/7 Support with Cali Bail Bonds
The fastest way to get back to your family and start working on your legal defense is to post bail. Cali Bail Bonds operates a statewide network with agents available 24/7. Because we are local to the jails in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County, and beyond, we can often secure a release within a few hours of the booking process being completed.
Why Grand Theft is a “Wobbler” Offense
In California, grand theft is known as a “wobbler.” This means the District Attorney has the power to charge the crime as either a misdemeanor or a felony.
How the DA Decides
The prosecutor will look at two main things:
- The Circumstances: Was it a sophisticated scheme? Was a weapon used?
- Criminal History: Does the defendant have prior theft convictions?
If charged as a misdemeanor, the maximum jail time is one year in county jail. If charged as a felony, the stakes are much higher.
Penalties for Felony Grand Theft
A felony conviction carries heavy penalties that extend far beyond a simple fine.
Incarceration
A standard felony grand theft conviction (PC 487) is punishable by:
- 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in California State Prison.
- Up to $10,000 in court fines.
High-Value Sentence Enhancements
California law punishes those who steal large amounts more severely. If the value of the stolen property is exceptionally high, the court adds extra time to the base sentence:
- +$1 Year: If the loss exceeds $50,000.
- +$2 Years: If the loss exceeds $200,000.
- +$3 Years: If the loss exceeds $1.3 Million.
Proposition 36 & Organized Retail Theft
With recent legislative updates (including the impacts of Prop 36), California has moved to crack down on “smash and grab” robberies. If the theft is part of an organized effort involving two or more people, or if significant property damage occurred during the theft, defendants now face mandatory sentencing increases and a much harder time receiving simple probation.
Financial Solutions for Felony Bail Bonds
We understand that $20,000 or $50,000 is more than most families have sitting in a bank account. Cali Bail Bonds provides financial lifelines to make the release affordable.
0% Down & Flexible Financing
We offer zero-down bail bonds for qualified clients. This means you can get your loved one home today and pay for the bond over time. We look at factors like employment history and residency rather than just a credit score.
No-Collateral Bonds
Many people fear they have to sign over their house to get a bond. In many grand theft cases, Cali Bail Bonds can offer “signature bonds” that require no collateral, depending on the risk level and the ties the defendant has to the community.
The 10% Premium
By law, bail bond companies charge a fee (premium) to take on the risk of the full bail amount. This is typically 10%. However, if you have already hired a defense attorney, you may qualify for a discounted rate of 8%.
Strategic Legal Defenses Against Felony Charges
Being charged does not mean you will be convicted. Common defenses include:
- Claim of Right: You honestly believed the property was yours or you had a legitimate claim to it.
- Lack of Intent: You didn’t intend to steal. For example, you accidentally walked out of a store with an item or forgot to return a borrowed car.
- Consent: The owner gave you permission to use the property.
- False Accusations: You were wrongly identified or framed by someone else.
Collateral Consequences
A felony conviction on your record acts like a “scar” that people see for years. It affects more than just your freedom.
Professional Licensing
If you hold a professional license (Nursing, Real Estate, Accounting, or Law), a felony grand theft conviction can result in an automatic suspension or permanent revocation. These boards view theft as a “crime of moral turpitude.”
Immigration Status
For non-citizens, a felony theft conviction is extremely dangerous. It can be classified as an “aggravated felony,” which often leads to mandatory deportation or a permanent ban from re-entering the United States.
Employment and Housing
Many landlords and employers run background checks. A felony theft record can make it nearly impossible to pass these checks, as it suggests a lack of honesty. This is why getting out on bail early is so important—it gives you time to work with an attorney to try and get the charges reduced before a conviction happens.
Post-Conviction Relief: Can You Reduce a Felony?
There is hope for the future through a process called a PC 17(b) motion. If you were convicted of felony grand theft and successfully completed your probation, you can petition the court to “wobble” the felony down to a misdemeanor retroactively. Once reduced, you can legally state that you have never been convicted of a felony.
People Also Ask (FAQs)
Q: How long does it take to get out of jail for Grand Theft? A: Once Cali Bail Bonds posts the bond, release times vary by jail. Most city jails take 1–2 hours, while larger county jails can take 4–12 hours.
Q: Can I bail someone out online? A: Yes. Cali Bail Bonds uses a secure digital e-signature process. You can complete the entire application from your smartphone without leaving your house.
Q: What if I don’t know which jail my loved one is in? A: We provide a Free Inmate Search service. Just call us with the person’s name and birthdate, and we will locate them within minutes.
Q: Is “Shoplifting” always a misdemeanor? A: No. If you enter a store with the intent to steal property worth more than $950, it can be charged as Grand Theft or Burglary, both of which can be felonies.
Q: Do I need collateral for a $20,000 bond? A: Not necessarily. We frequently approve bonds of this size based on your “signature” and proof of employment.
Q: Will I get my bail money back? A: The 10% premium paid to a bail bond company is a non-refundable fee for the service of getting you out of jail. If you paid the full amount directly to the court, you get that back (minus court fees) once the case is closed.
Secure Your Freedom Today
A felony grand theft charge is a serious threat to your future, but you don’t have to face it from behind bars. Being out on bail allows you to meet with your lawyer, keep your job, and prepare your defense in comfort.
Don’t wait. Contact Cali Bail Bonds right now at 888-365-3113 or visit CaliBailBonds.com for a free, confidential consultation. We offer zero-down financing and are available 24/7 to help you bring your loved one home.