More than 225,000 burglary arrests in California are made each year, according to the California Department of Justice. On average, more than 65,000 defendants are arrested for robbery each year.

Santa Ana Criminal Defense Attorney Houman Fakhimi and our Criminal Defense Team represent clients facing serious misdemeanor and felony charges throughout Orange County and the Los Angeles area, including Ontario-Rancho Cucamonga.

A conviction for burglary or robbery can negatively impact virtually every aspect of a defendant’s life. Loss of employment or the inability to land decent employment are common consequences of having a theft conviction on your record. In some cases, a conviction can count as a strike under the state’s three-strikes law.

And even in cases where probation is offered in lieu of jail or prison time, failure to comply with the terms of release can result in very serious consequences – including sentencing on the underling charge with little or no opportunity to mount a defense should subsequent violations occur.

• Some 3,000 defendants are arrested and charged with robbery in Orange County each year.
• Nearly 11,000 face burglary charges.
• 15,000 defendants are charged with larceny of more than $400 in Orange County each year.
• About 30,000 are charged with theft of less than $400.

Robbery is typically defined as theft from a person by force or the threat of force. Burglary is theft of goods from a business or residence.

Robbery means “the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his personal or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear.”

In some cases, robbery may be charged without force or fear, particularly when a defendant resists attempts by a victim to regain possession.

Use of a gun during the commission of a robbery can result in a mandatory 10-year prison sentence, even for a first-time offender.

Burglary is defined as a theft crime and means entering a victim’s workplace, car, house or other structure in order to steal property or commit a felony.

A Santa Ana defense attorney will thoroughly review your case and decide upon the best course of action. Reviewing probable cause for arrest and for obtaining any search warrants in a case can be critical. In cases in which it can be proven that a search was improperly conducted, an arrest was improperly made or a search warrant was improperly obtained, a reduction or dismissal of the charges may result.

Defendants are advised to remain silent and avoid speaking with authorities. Rarely will making a statement help your case. And what you say may conflict with a future defense strategy. Seeking legal representation is important at the earliest possible stages in such cases. Particularly when co-defendants are involved and may be speaking with authorities.

Our Southern California Criminal Defense Team represents defendants in North Justice Center, Harbor Justice Center, Central Justice Center, Van Nuys Court, Temple Street Court and in courts throughout Southern California.