Theft Of Lost Property

In California, the question of whether keeping found items constitutes theft is addressed under Penal Code 485 PC. California law recognizes that finding lost property does not automatically grant you ownership. In fact, under certain circumstances, keeping found items can lead to criminal charges of theft. This law aims to protect the rights of property owners and ensure that reasonable efforts are made to return lost items to their rightful owners.

If you are facing a theft of lost property charge, you need to find a criminal defense lawyer to help with building strong defenses. At the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum in San Diego, we leave no stone unturned while defending our clients. We will review your case, gather evidence that could weaken the prosecution’s case, and fight for your rights.

What Theft Of Lost Property Mean Under PEN 485

Under California Penal Code 485 PC, the theft of lost property becomes a crime when these elements are met:

You must have found property that was lost or mislaid by someone else
You knew who the owner was or had a reasonable way of knowing their identity. This could be through identifying information on the property, circumstances surrounding the discovery, or a reasonable investigation
You did not make a reasonable effort to return the property to its rightful owner. What constitutes a “reasonable effort” can vary depending on the circumstances, but generally includes attempts to locate the owner, notify the police, or leave the item with a responsible party
You intended to deprive the owner of the property permanently. This means you intended to keep it for yourself or dispose of it in a way that the owner would not get it back

The law asserts that simply finding lost property and not returning it immediately does not automatically make you a thief. The law recognizes that you may need time to make reasonable efforts to locate the owner. However, if you fail to do so and intend to keep the property, you could be charged with theft.

Legal Defenses to Charges of Theft Of Lost Property

There are several defenses to a charge of theft of lost property. Your defense attorney could use these to have your charge dismissed or lowered. The defenses include:

No Intent To Keep

If you found lost property but genuinely did not intend to keep it for yourself, this could be a valid defense against theft charges. Perhaps you planned to return it directly to the owner once you identified them or intended to turn it over to the police.

To successfully use this defense, you must provide evidence supporting your lack of intent to permanently deprive the owner of their property. You could show statements or actions showing your intent to return the item.

If the item was valuable or had identifying information on it, it’s less likely a jury would believe you didn’t intend to keep it. Also, if you have a clean record with no history of theft, it is more plausible that you genuinely intended to return the found property.

Reasonable Efforts To Find Owner

Another viable defense against theft of lost property charges is demonstrating that you made reasonable efforts to locate the rightful owner. The specific actions considered “reasonable” can depend on several factors.

The value and nature of the property itself play a pivotal role in determining what actions are deemed reasonable. For example, if the item is valuable or contains identifying information (like a wallet with an ID), you may be expected to make more extensive efforts to find the owner than if it were a generic item with no identifying marks.

Furthermore, where you discover the lost item also comes into play. If you found the item in a place where the owner is likely to return it (like a store), it might be reasonable to leave it with the establishment’s lost and found. However, if the item was found in a more remote location, you might need to take additional measures to locate the owner. For example, if you find a misplaced phone in a bustling coffee shop; leaving it with the barista would likely suffice.

Examples of reasonable efforts could include the following:

Attempting to contact the owner directly, for example, if the property contains contact information. For a lost smartphone, you could try calling contacts listed on the phone to notify them of its whereabouts. Attempting to reach the owner is a strong indicator of good faith.
Submit the item to the police or a responsible party. Here, you demonstrate your intent to have the property returned to its rightful owner.
Posting notices in the area where the item was found. This can be helpful if the owner is likely to retrace their steps while looking for the lost item.
Utilizing social media or online platforms. If the item is unique or valuable, posting about it on social media or lost and found websites can reach a wider audience and increase the chances of finding the owner.

The burden of proving you made reasonable efforts falls on you, the defendant. However, it is advisable to document any steps you take to locate the owner. Save any correspondence, receipts for notices posted, or online posts you create as proof of your attempts to locate the owner. These can serve as evidence in your defense.

Rightful Owner Of Property

In rare cases, a defense against theft of lost property charges could be that you genuinely believed you were the rightful owner of the found property. This defense is more likely to be successful in situations where the property was abandoned. For example, if the property was left in a place or condition suggesting the owner had intentionally discarded it, you might have a reasonable claim of ownership.

If you find an item in a state of disrepair and put significant effort into restoring or improving it, you might argue that you added value and thus have a claim to ownership. You can also claim ownership if the original owner cannot be located. For example, if extensive efforts to locate the original owner have failed and a significant amount of time has passed, you might be able to claim ownership through adverse possession.

This defense is not always easy to prove. You should provide convincing evidence to support your claim of ownership, such as:

Witness testimony. If others can corroborate your belief that the property was abandoned or that you made substantial improvements to it, this can strengthen your case.
Documentation such as records or receipts related to your efforts to repair or improve the property
For legal precedent, for example, you could cite relevant case law where similar claims of ownership were successful.

Sentencing, Punishment, and Penalties For a PC 485 Violation

The penalties for theft of lost property depend primarily on the value of the property involved. The law distinguishes between two categories:

Petty Theft

If the value of the lost property is $950 or less, the offense is classified as petty theft, a misdemeanor. The potential penalties include:

Up to six months in county jail
A fine of up to $1,000
Summary probation

Grand Theft

If the value of the lost property exceeds $950, the offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, known as a “wobbler.” The potential penalties for grand theft include:

Misdemeanor: Up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000
Felony: Sixteen months, two years, or three years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000

The prosecutor’s decision to charge the offense as a misdemeanor or felony depends on various factors, such as the circumstances of the theft, the defendant’s criminal history, and the value of the property.

In addition to jail time and fines, a conviction for theft of lost property can also cause other consequences, such as restitution to the victim, probation, community service, and a criminal record that can affect future employment and housing opportunities.

You want to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney to understand the potential penalties you might face and to develop a strong defense strategy to minimize the consequences of a conviction.

Immigration Consequences Upon Conviction

A conviction for theft of lost property can have serious immigration consequences, especially for non-citizens. Depending on the specific circumstances of the case and your immigration status, the potential consequences can include the following:

If the offense is considered a crime involving moral turpitude (CIMT) or an aggravated felony, it could trigger deportation proceedings
Inadmissibility. A conviction for theft could render a person inadmissible to the United States, making it difficult to obtain a visa or enter the country in the future
Denial of Naturalization. Individuals with a criminal record, including theft convictions, may be denied U.S. citizenship
In some cases, a theft conviction could lead to the revocation of a person’s existing immigration status, such as a green card

The severity of the immigration consequences can vary depending on several factors, such as:

The value of the stolen property. Grand theft is more likely to trigger immigration consequences than petty theft
Your criminal history. A prior criminal record can exacerbate the immigration consequences of a theft conviction
Your immigration status. Certain immigration statuses, such as lawful permanent residents (green card holders), may be more vulnerable to deportation than others

Having a Conviction Expunged From Your Criminal Record

Under certain circumstances, you could have a conviction for theft of lost property expunged from your criminal record in California. This process, formally known as “dismissal after probation completion,” can help mitigate the long-term consequences of a criminal conviction. Expungement can significantly improve your prospects for employment, housing, and other opportunities that might be negatively affected by a criminal record.

To be eligible for expungement, you must meet the following criteria:

You must have completed all terms of your probation, including paying any fines or restitution
You must not have been convicted of any new crimes while on probation
You must not be facing any pending criminal charges

If you meet these requirements, you can petition the court to have your conviction dismissed and the case sealed. If the court grants your petition, the conviction will be removed from your criminal record. However, there could be some exceptions for law enforcement and government agencies.

Note that not all theft of lost property convictions are eligible for expungement. If the offense was charged as a felony, it may not be possible to completely erase the conviction from your record. In such cases, your attorney can explore alternative options, such as reducing the felony to a misdemeanor, which may then be eligible for expungement.

Does A Conviction Affect Your Gun Possession Rights?

Facing a conviction for a Penal Code 485 violation can significantly impact your gun rights. Both misdemeanor and felony convictions for theft can trigger firearms restrictions in California.

If convicted of misdemeanor theft of lost property, you would be prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm for ten years. A felony conviction for grand theft of lost property results in a lifetime ban on firearm ownership and possession in California.

These restrictions apply to firearms, ammunition, and other related weapons. Furthermore, even if you are not a California resident, a conviction in the state could affect your ability to purchase or possess firearms in other jurisdictions. Federal law also prohibits convicted felons from owning firearms.

Related Offenses to Theft of Lost Property

Several offenses are closely related to the theft of lost property. You could face charges along with those crimes or, in lieu, theft of lost property. While they share similarities, each has distinct elements and penalties:

Petty Theft, California Penal Code 488

Per California PC 488, petty theft is the unlawful taking of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it, where the value of the property stolen is $950 or less. This offense encompasses various scenarios, such as shoplifting, pickpocketing, or taking items left unattended.

For the court to convict you of petty theft, the prosecution must prove the following elements:

You took possession of property owned by someone else
You took the property without the owner’s consent
When you took the property, you intended to deprive the owner of it permanently or to remove it from the owner’s possession for such an extended period that the owner would be deprived of a major portion of the value or enjoyment of the property

Petty theft is typically a misdemeanor in California, punishable by:

Up to six months in county jail
A fine of up to $1,000
Summary probation

However, if you have prior theft-related convictions, petty theft can be charged as a felony, carrying more severe penalties.

When facing petty theft accusations, several defense strategies can be employed to challenge the charges. One common defense is a lack of intent claim. This argument asserts that you did not have the requisite mental state to commit theft. You might have genuinely believed the property was yours, or perhaps they took it by mistake. You must demonstrate that your actions were unintentional or based on a misunderstanding.

In cases where you were under duress or coercion, the defense of duress can be raised. This means you were compelled to commit the theft due to a credible threat of harm to yourself or others. Here, you must prove the existence of a genuine and immediate threat that leaves you with no reasonable alternative but to comply.

Another defense, necessity, applies when you steal property to prevent more significant harm. For example, if you stole food to avoid starvation, you could argue necessity. However, this defense is rarely successful and requires demonstrating that the harm prevented was greater than the harm caused by the theft.

The defense of false accusation is a straightforward claim that you are innocent and were wrongly identified or accused of a crime. This defense relies heavily on evidence, such as alibi witnesses, surveillance footage, or inconsistencies in the accuser’s testimony, to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case.

Each of these defenses requires careful consideration and a strong legal strategy to be effective. The specific circumstances of the case, the strength of the evidence, and the skill of the defense attorney will all play a crucial role in determining the outcome. The burden of proof in criminal cases lies with the prosecution, meaning you are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Receiving Stolen Property, California Penal Code 496

Receiving stolen property refers to the act of buying, receiving, concealing, selling, withholding, or aiding in concealing, selling, or withholding property that you know or reasonably should know has been obtained through theft or extortion.

This offense focuses on the person who receives or deals with stolen property, rather than the person who initially committed the theft.

The court can convince the prosecutor by demonstrating the following elements:

The property was stolen
You bought, received, concealed, sold, withheld, or aided in concealing, selling, or withholding the property
You knew or reasonably should have known the property was stolen

The judge sentences you depending on the value of the stolen property. You face petty theft if the value of the stolen property is $950 or less. The offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

You are convicted of grand theft if the value of the stolen property exceeds $950. The offense can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony (a “wobbler”). Misdemeanor penalties are up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. Felony penalties can range from 16 months to 3 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The decision to charge as a misdemeanor or felony depends on factors like the value of the property, your criminal history, and the specific circumstances of the case.

Defenses against receiving stolen property charges can include:

Lack of knowledge – The defendant genuinely did not know the property was stolen and had no reason to suspect it
Entrapment – Law enforcement induced the defendant to commit the crime through coercion or deception
Mistake of fact – The defendant mistakenly believed they had a right to the property or were authorized to possess it

Shoplifting, California Penal Code 459.5

California Penal Code 459.5 punishes shoplifting. Shoplifting is a specific type of theft that involves entering a commercial establishment during regular business hours with the intent to steal merchandise. This can include concealing items on your person, altering price tags, or simply walking out without paying for goods.

Elements of shoplifting include:

You entered a commercial establishment during regular business hours. The establishment could be a retail store, supermarket, or any other place open to the public for business.
You intended to steal property. This intent must be formed before or at the time of entering the establishment.
You took possession of property owned by the establishment. For example, taking items off shelves, concealing them, or manipulating price tags.
You moved the property, even a small distance, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. That means you did not intend to pay for the item and intended to keep it or dispose of it in a way that the owner would not get it back.

You face petty theft or grand theft charges, depending on the value of the merchandise you stole. You face a petty theft charge if the value of the stolen items is $950 or less. The offense is usually a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000.

If the prosecutor charges you with grand theft, it is because you stole merchandise exceeding $950. This offense is a wobbler. Therefore, you could face a misdemeanor or a felony. Penalties could range from up to one year in jail for a misdemeanor to 16 months, two years, or three years in state prison for a felony.

In addition to jail time and fines, shoplifting convictions can also lead to civil demands for restitution to the store owner, probation, community service, and a lasting criminal record.

You have a right to defend yourself in court. Legal defenses you could use include:

You did not intend to steal the property, perhaps due to forgetfulness, confusion, or accidental misplacement of the item
You mistakenly believed they had paid for the item or had permission to take it
You were forced to shoplift under threat of harm

Find a Theft Crimes Defense Attorney Near Me

A theft-related charge can attract harsh penalties like jail time, probation, hefty fines, and loss of gun rights. Whether you have been accused of petty theft, receiving stolen property, or shoplifting, having a skilled legal professional by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.

At the Law Offices of Anna R. Yum, we specialize in criminal defense and have a proven track record of successfully defending clients facing theft charges across the San Diego area. With in-depth knowledge of California’s criminal law and extensive experience in the courtroom, our team is dedicated to protecting your rights and fighting for the best possible resolution.

If you or someone you know is facing theft-related charges, contact us at 619-493-3461. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, answer your questions, and provide expert legal advice tailored to your specific situation.