Petty Theft with a Prior Law – California Penal Code 666
California Penal Code Section 666 describes the crime of petty theft with prior. It's simply a myth that shoplifting charges can't ever carry harsh penalties.
Despite the term 'petty,' this crime can lead to severe penalties, even a felony charge and a sentence in a California state prison. This underscores the importance of understanding and addressing the implications of petty theft with a prior.
Petty theft is described under California Penal Code 484 and is considered a theft crime when the property taken has a total value of $950 or less. A petty theft with a prior simply means you have a theft-related conviction.
In other words, Penal Code 666 is designed to punish repeat offenders. For example, let's say you commit a petty theft crime but already have a conviction for other types of theft crimes, such as grand theft, shoplifting, robbery, or burglary, and served time in jail or violated probation for these cases.
An example includes a situation where you have a residential burglary conviction, plus other theft crimes, and served jail time on your record. You are unable to secure employment to have money for daily life. So, you go into a store and commit shoplifting by taking some clothes. As you exit, security details you and calls the police, who in turn issue a citation for petty theft.
After the prosecutor discovers your prior residential burglary conviction and other theft-related convictions – combined with the new petty theft – they can file new charges for Penal Code 666 petty theft with a prior.
Our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers have provided an outline below to provide useful information about PC 666 petty theft with prior charges.
Definition of PC 666 Petty Theft with a Prior
California Penal Code 666 defines the crime of petty theft with a prior:
Anyone who, having been convicted of petty theft, grand theft, a conviction for auto theft under Vehicle Code 10851, burglary, carjacking, robbery, elder abuse, or a felony violation of Penal Code 496, receiving stolen property, and having served time in prison, or violated probation for these offenses, is convicted of petty theft with prior.
In other words, in order to be sentenced for PC 666 petty theft with prior convictions for PC 484 and PC 488 petty theft or similar theft crimes, you must have prior convictions for these crimes.
As stated, a petty theft crime is unlawfully taking someone's property valued at $950 or less and normally involves shoplifting incidents but also includes theft by false pretenses.
In order for a prosecutor to convict you of Penal Code 666 petty theft with a prior, they have to be able to prove – beyond a reasonable doubt – all the elements of the crime listed in CALCRIM 1850. Jury Instructions:
- You have a prior theft crime conviction and another prior conviction of specific crimes that make you eligible for sentence enhancement
- The convictions resulted in serving time in county jail or state prison
Prior Conviction for a California Theft Crime
It should be noted that just being arrested and charged with a theft crime is not enough – there must be an actual conviction. The prior California theft crime convictions could result in enhanced penalties for Penal Code 666 petty theft with prior include:
- Penal Code 211 – Robbery
- Penal Code 215 – Carjacking
- Penal Code 459 – Burglary
- Penal Code 484 – Petty Theft
- Penal Code 487 – Grand Theft
- Penal Code 487(d)(1) – Grand Theft Auto
- Penal Code 496 – Receiving Stolen Property
It should also be noted that only just having a prior theft related conviction won't make you eligible for a sentencing enhancement under PC 466. To be sentenced under petty theft with prior law, you must have either:
- Three or more convictions for the theft crimes listed above or
- One conviction for a theft crime above, and either;
- Sex crime conviction resulting in registration under Penal Code 290 or
- Prior conviction for certain California serious or violent felony crimes
The serious or violent felony crimes making you eligible for PC 666 petty theft with prior enhancement include sex crimes using force or threats, sexual-related offenses against children, murder, attempted murder, solicitation for murder, gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and other types of serious offenses punishable by life in prison or death.
Penalties for PC 666 Petty Theft with Prior
California Penal Code 666 petty theft with a prior conviction is a “wobbler.” This gives the prosecutor the discretion to file the case as either a misdemeanor or felony. The decision is normally based on the circumstances of the case and prior criminal record.
If convicted of a misdemeanor petty theft with a prior, you are facing up to one year in a county jail. If convicted of a felony, you are facing up to three years in a California state prison.
Fighting Petty Theft with Prior Charges
If you have been charged with PC 666 petty theft with a prior, our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys can use a variety of strategies to help you minimize the penalties. The common defenses include:
Challenge new petty theft case
We might be able to make a reasonable argument against the new petty theft case that made you eligible for a petty theft with prior enhancement. If the new case was shoplifting, perhaps we could argue there was a lack of intent rather than an honest mistake. If we can create reasonable doubt on the new case or have the case dismissed, then you should be able to avoid a conviction under Penal Code 666.
False accusation
Our lawyers might be able to prove you are a victim of a false allegation and were wrongfully arrested. Perhaps you were in the wrong place at the wrong time. For instance, maybe you were with a friend who committed a theft crime and didn't know they were stealing, and you played no part in the theft but were still arrested as an accomplice.
If you're charged with PC 666, don't lose hope. Our Los Angeles criminal defense law firm has a successful track record in defending clients in all types of theft-related cases. We'll review the details of your case and work towards the best possible outcome, giving you hope for a favorable resolution.
Cron, Israels & Stark is a criminal defense law firm serving clients throughout Southern California, including the greater Los Angeles area. We are located at 11755 Wilshire Blvd, 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90025. We offer a free case evaluation at (424) 372-3112.
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