Lompoc Theft & Property Crimes Attorney

Being charged with theft or property crimes in Lompoc can feel like your reputation and future are at risk—but you’re not alone, and you have options. Whether you’re dealing with shoplifting charges from stores along Ocean Avenue and H Street, grand theft allegations exceeding $950, petty theft under Proposition 47, burglary charges for entering buildings or vehicles, robbery accusations involving force or fear, receiving stolen property, auto theft or joyriding, embezzlement from Lompoc employers, forgery and fraud charges, vandalism allegations, identity theft, burglary of Lompoc residences or businesses, or organized retail theft involving multiple incidents, understanding California’s theft and property crime laws is the first step toward protecting your freedom, your employment at Vandenberg Space Force Base, and your future in Lompoc where theft convictions create permanent criminal records appearing on background checks, destroy careers requiring trustworthiness and security clearances, and generate restitution obligations that can financially devastate families in this close-knit community.

At Central Coast Criminal Defense, we’ve defended Lompoc residents against theft and property crime charges since 2010. We know the Santa Barbara County courts, the judges at Lompoc Superior Court on North H Street who handle these cases, the prosecutors who evaluate theft prosecutions, and—most importantly—we know how to fight for results that protect what matters most: avoiding convictions through dismissals when evidence is insufficient or arrests were illegal, negotiating civil compromises under PC 1377 where victims accept restitution and request dismissals, reducing charges under Proposition 47 when amounts are under $950 making felonies into misdemeanors, securing diversion programs resulting in dismissals after completion, protecting your employment at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex when theft convictions would destroy security clearances, and minimizing restitution obligations while preserving your ability to work and support your family in Lompoc’s economy where theft charges shouldn’t permanently eliminate opportunities for those who made mistakes and deserve second chances.

What Are Theft and Property Crimes in California?

Theft crimes in California involve unlawfully taking another person’s property with intent to permanently deprive them of it, while property crimes include damaging or entering property unlawfully. California’s theft laws were significantly reformed by Proposition 47 in 2014, which reclassified most theft offenses under $950 as misdemeanors rather than felonies, reducing penalties and providing retroactive relief for prior convictions. Common theft offenses include petty theft (PC 484/488) for taking property valued under $950 carrying maximum 6 months county jail, grand theft (PC 487) for property exceeding $950 or vehicles/firearms/specific agricultural products regardless of value carrying up to 3 years state prison, shoplifting (PC 459.5) specifically defined by Proposition 47 as entering commercial establishments during business hours to steal property worth less than $950 making it misdemeanor not burglary, robbery (PC 211) involving taking property through force or fear carrying 2-9 years prison or 3-9 years if armed, burglary (PC 459) for entering structures with intent to commit theft or any felony carrying 2-6 years prison depending on degree, receiving stolen property (PC 496) for buying or possessing property known to be stolen, auto theft (PC 487(d)(1)) and joyriding (VC 10851), embezzlement (PC 503) involving fraudulent appropriation by employees or those in positions of trust, and forgery (PC 470) for falsifying documents or signatures for financial gain. Property crimes include vandalism (PC 594) for damaging property, trespassing (PC 602), and arson.

In Lompoc and throughout Santa Barbara County, theft and property crime charges commonly arise from shoplifting at retail stores along Ocean Avenue and H Street where loss prevention detains individuals for suspected theft, employee theft from Lompoc businesses including restaurants, hotels, and retail establishments, burglary of Lompoc residences when homes are entered during daytime hours while residents are at work, vehicle burglaries in parking lots at Vandenberg Space Force Base or shopping areas where items are stolen from unlocked cars, theft from employers including Vandenberg contractors or Federal Correctional Complex where employees are accused of taking property or misappropriating funds, organized retail theft rings involving multiple shoplifting incidents coordinated for resale, methamphetamine-related property crimes when drug users commit thefts to support addictions, and domestic-related theft when spouses or partners accuse each other of stealing property during separations or breakups. Theft prosecutions at Lompoc Superior Court on North H Street involve proving that defendants took property belonging to another, intended to permanently deprive owners of property, and moved or carried away property even slightly—with valuation being critical factor determining whether charges are misdemeanor petty theft under $950 or felony grand theft exceeding $950 under Proposition 47’s reformed theft statutes.

What many people charged with theft in Lompoc don’t understand is that Proposition 47 provides significant relief including automatic misdemeanor classification for most theft under $950, retroactive reduction of prior felony theft convictions to misdemeanors through petitions, and shoplifting being redefined as misdemeanor entry into stores during business hours to steal under $950 rather than burglary. Additionally, many theft cases involve strong defenses including lack of intent to permanently deprive owners when defendants borrowed property intending to return it, claim of right when defendants believed they had ownership or authorization to take property, insufficient evidence when retailers or victims cannot prove value exceeded $950 for grand theft prosecutions, mistaken identity when surveillance is unclear or witnesses are unreliable, illegal searches and seizures when police lacked probable cause to detain or search defendants at Lompoc stores or in vehicles, and civil disputes not criminal theft when disagreements involve loans, debts, or business transactions that should be resolved civilly. Furthermore, California provides diversion programs for first-time theft offenders, civil compromise procedures under PC 1377 where victims accept restitution and request dismissals, and opportunities for charge reductions and probation even when convictions cannot be avoided. Without aggressive representation that challenges valuations keeping charges under $950 as misdemeanors, negotiates civil compromises avoiding convictions through victim restitution, demonstrates lack of criminal intent, and pursues dismissals or diversion when possible, you risk felony convictions for conduct that should be misdemeanors under Proposition 47, permanent criminal records destroying employment at Vandenberg Space Force Base requiring trustworthiness and clean backgrounds, substantial restitution orders bankrupting families, and immigration consequences for non-citizens when theft crimes involve moral turpitude triggering deportation in Lompoc’s diverse community where second chances should be available for first-time offenders who made mistakes but can rehabilitate and contribute productively.

• Legal Definition: Theft crimes involve unlawfully taking another’s property with intent to permanently deprive owner, classified under Proposition 47 as petty theft misdemeanor (PC 484/488) when value under $950 carrying maximum 6 months jail, or grand theft felony (PC 487) when value exceeds $950 carrying up to 3 years prison, with shoplifting (PC 459.5) specifically defined as entering commercial establishments during business hours to steal under $950 as misdemeanor, while robbery (PC 211) involves force or fear carrying 2-9 years prison, and burglary (PC 459) involves entering structures with intent to steal carrying 2-6 years prison depending on degree.
• Why It’s Serious: Theft convictions create permanent criminal records appearing on background checks destroying employment at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex requiring trustworthiness, substantial restitution obligations to victims potentially bankrupting families, immigration consequences for non-citizens as crimes involving moral turpitude, professional license impacts, custody consequences in family court, and social stigma in Lompoc’s close-knit community where theft convictions brand defendants as dishonest and untrustworthy making rebuilding lives difficult even after sentences are completed.
• Common Situations: Shoplifting at Ocean Avenue and H Street stores where loss prevention detains individuals, employee theft from Lompoc businesses including restaurants and hotels, burglary of Lompoc residences during daytime hours while residents work, vehicle burglaries at Vandenberg Space Force Base parking lots, theft from employers including Vandenberg contractors, organized retail theft involving multiple incidents, methamphetamine-related property crimes supporting addictions, and domestic-related theft when partners accuse each other during separations.

Proposition 47 Relief: Most theft under $950 is now misdemeanor, not felony. If charged with grand theft, challenge valuations. Civil compromise under PC 1377 allows dismissals when victims accept restitution. Call +1 (805) 621-7181 immediately for theft defense protecting your record and Vandenberg employment.

Theft and Property Crimes We Defend in Lompoc

We defend clients against all theft and property crime charges in Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, and surrounding areas. Here are the offenses we handle:

Petty Theft and Shoplifting

• Petty Theft (PC 484/488)
  Taking property valued under $950 from individuals or businesses | Penalties: Misdemeanor maximum 6 months jail under Proposition 47, fines, restitution
• Shoplifting (PC 459.5)
  Entering Ocean Avenue or H Street stores during business hours to steal merchandise under $950 | Proposition 47: Misdemeanor not burglary, negotiate civil compromise or diversion for first offenses
• Retail Theft from Lompoc Stores
  Shoplifting from businesses along commercial corridors in Lompoc | Defense: Challenge loss prevention detentions, contest valuations, demonstrate lack of intent, negotiate restitution
• First-Time Shoplifting Diversion
  Diversion programs for first-time offenders resulting in dismissals after completion | Relief: Complete classes and community service, pay restitution, charges dismissed avoiding convictions

Grand Theft

• Grand Theft (PC 487)
  Taking property valued over $950, or vehicles, firearms, certain agricultural products regardless of value | Penalties: Felony up to 3 years state prison, substantial restitution, reducible to misdemeanor under PC 17(b)
• Grand Theft Auto (PC 487(d)(1))
  Stealing vehicles in Lompoc or from Vandenberg parking areas | Serious: Felony prosecution, restitution for vehicle value, fight valuations and intent elements
• Grand Theft from Person
  Taking property directly from victims including purse snatching or pickpocketing | Enhanced: More serious than regular grand theft, demonstrate no force used distinguishing from robbery
• Proposition 47 Challenges
  Challenging grand theft charges when property value actually under $950 | Strategy: Retain appraisers demonstrating lower valuations, reduce felonies to misdemeanor petty theft

Burglary

• Residential Burglary – First Degree (PC 459)
  Entering Lompoc residences with intent to commit theft or felony | Serious: 2-6 years state prison, violent felony strike, fight intent element and illegal entry claims
• Commercial Burglary – Second Degree (PC 459)
  Entering businesses, stores, or vehicles with intent to commit theft | Penalties: Up to 3 years prison, reducible to misdemeanor under PC 17(b) as wobbler offense
• Auto Burglary
  Breaking into vehicles in Vandenberg parking lots or Lompoc areas to steal property | Common: Prosecution for taking items from cars, challenge entry and intent evidence
• Shoplifting vs. Burglary Defense
  Arguing conduct is shoplifting misdemeanor under Proposition 47, not commercial burglary | Critical: If entered during business hours to steal under $950, cannot be charged as burglary per PC 459.5

Robbery

• Robbery (PC 211)
  Taking property from person through force or fear | Severe: Second-degree 2-5 years, first-degree 3-9 years, violent felony strike, fight force and fear elements
• Strong-Arm Robbery
  Robbery without weapons using physical force | Defense: Demonstrate mutual combat or theft without force, reduce to grand theft when possible
• Armed Robbery
  Robbery while armed with firearms or dangerous weapons | Most serious: 3-9 years first-degree, 10-year firearm enhancement, life exposure under Three Strikes
• Estes Robbery
  Theft becoming robbery when force used to escape or retain property | Defense: Challenge whether force was used to accomplish theft or merely to flee, reduce to theft

Vehicle Theft

• Unlawful Taking of Vehicle – Joyriding (VC 10851)
  Taking or driving vehicles without owner consent | Penalties: Misdemeanor or felony, less serious than grand theft auto, demonstrate temporary use intent
• Carjacking (PC 215)
  Taking vehicles from persons through force or fear | Extremely serious: 3-9 years state prison, violent felony strike, fight force and fear elements aggressively
• Unauthorized Use of Vehicle
  Using family member or partner’s vehicle without permission | Defense: Claim of right, permission implied from relationship, civil dispute not criminal theft

Receiving Stolen Property

• Receiving Stolen Property (PC 496)
  Buying or possessing property knowing it was stolen | Penalties: Misdemeanor if value under $950, felony if over $950, challenge knowledge element
• Possession of Stolen Goods
  Found with stolen property from Lompoc thefts or burglaries | Defense: Lack of knowledge property was stolen, purchased from legitimate sources, burden on prosecution
• Fencing Operations
  Buying and reselling stolen property systematically | Serious: Multiple charges, enhanced penalties, challenge knowledge and intent evidence

Employee Theft and Embezzlement

• Employee Theft
  Stealing from Lompoc employers including restaurants, hotels, retail stores | Consequences: Criminal charges plus civil liability, negotiate restitution and civil compromise
• Embezzlement (PC 503)
  Fraudulent appropriation by employees or those in positions of trust | Covered separately: See Lompoc Embezzlement Attorney page for comprehensive defense
• Theft from Vandenberg Employers
  Theft from Vandenberg Space Force Base contractors or federal employers | Critical: Federal prosecution possible, security clearance loss, immediate termination, aggressive defense essential

Fraud and Forgery

• Forgery (PC 470)
  Falsifying signatures, documents, or checks for financial gain | Penalties: Felony up to 3 years prison, challenge handwriting analysis, demonstrate authorization
• Credit Card Fraud (PC 484e-484j)
  Unauthorized use of credit cards or account information | Prosecution: Identity theft enhancements possible, challenge knowledge and intent elements
• Identity Theft (PC 530.5)
  Using another person’s identifying information for fraud | Serious: Additional charges beyond theft, challenge evidence of unauthorized use
• Check Fraud (PC 476)
  Writing bad checks with insufficient funds or forging checks | Defense: Civil dispute over debts, lack of intent to defraud, demonstrate mistake

Property Damage Crimes

• Vandalism (PC 594)
  Damaging or defacing property including graffiti on Lompoc buildings | Penalties: Misdemeanor or felony based on damage amount, restitution for repairs, community service
• Trespassing (PC 602)
  Entering property without permission in Lompoc neighborhoods or businesses | Usually misdemeanor: Negotiate dismissals, demonstrate permission or mistake, minimal offense
• Arson (PC 451)
  Willfully and maliciously setting fires to structures or property | Extremely serious: Felony 2-9 years, violent strike, challenge intent and causation evidence

Organized Retail Theft

• Organized Retail Theft
  Coordinated shoplifting operations involving multiple incidents for resale | Enhanced penalties: Aggregate values exceed $950, conspiracy charges, fight aggregation and coordination evidence
• Multiple Theft Charges
  Separate theft incidents charged together at Lompoc Superior Court | Strategy: Negotiate consolidation, challenge aggregation of values, reduce total exposure

Charged with theft in Lompoc? Proposition 47 makes theft under $950 misdemeanor. Challenge valuations, negotiate civil compromise for dismissals, protect Vandenberg employment. Call +1 (805) 621-7181 immediately for theft defense minimizing criminal records and restitution.

What’s at Stake: Consequences of Theft Convictions

Theft and property crime convictions don’t just mean jail—they destroy your employment prospects and create financial burdens. Here’s what you face:

⚠️ Your Vandenberg employment and financial stability are at stake. Theft convictions destroy careers requiring trustworthiness and create massive restitution obligations. Call immediately for theft defense protecting your record and livelihood.

Why Hiring an Attorney for Theft Crimes Is Essential

Challenging Valuations Under Proposition 47

The most critical defense strategy in theft cases is challenging property valuations to keep charges under $950 as misdemeanors rather than felonies under Proposition 47’s reformed theft statutes—yet prosecutors routinely inflate values to justify felony grand theft charges when independent appraisals would show property worth less than threshold. We challenge valuations by retaining independent appraisers who evaluate stolen property demonstrating fair market value is under $950 contradicting prosecution’s inflated estimates, cross-examining prosecution’s valuation witnesses about methodology and bias toward higher values, demonstrating through evidence that property was used, damaged, or depreciated reducing value below felony threshold, challenging retail prices when actual value is significantly less due to condition or market factors, and arguing to judges at Lompoc Superior Court that prosecution hasn’t proven value exceeded $950 beyond reasonable doubt requiring reduction to misdemeanor petty theft. Under Proposition 47, theft of property valued under $950 must be charged as misdemeanor petty theft carrying maximum 6 months jail rather than felony grand theft carrying up to 3 years prison—but without aggressive representation challenging valuations through expert testimony and cross-examination, prosecutors succeed in obtaining felony convictions for conduct that should be misdemeanors based on inflated property values that don’t reflect actual fair market values at time of theft.

Negotiating Civil Compromise Under PC 1377

California Penal Code Section 1377 allows dismissal of theft charges when victims accept restitution and request that prosecution be dismissed—providing excellent opportunity to avoid convictions by compensating victims for losses and securing their agreement to dismiss cases. We negotiate civil compromises by contacting victims or businesses whose property was stolen offering full restitution for property value or damages, structuring payment plans defendants can afford making restitution while maintaining employment at Vandenberg or Lompoc businesses, obtaining signed civil compromise agreements where victims acknowledge full compensation and request prosecution dismissals, presenting these agreements to prosecutors and judges at Lompoc Superior Court who typically grant dismissals when victims are made whole and request them, and securing complete dismissals of theft charges avoiding convictions and criminal records entirely when civil compromises are approved. Civil compromise is particularly effective for shoplifting from Lompoc stores, employee theft from businesses, and property crimes where victims care more about financial recovery than criminal punishment—but without representation that contacts victims promptly, negotiates reasonable restitution terms, and properly presents civil compromise motions to courts, defendants miss opportunities to resolve cases through victim compensation avoiding convictions that would permanently damage employment prospects at Vandenberg Space Force Base and create criminal records in Lompoc community.

Protecting Vandenberg Security Clearances and Federal Employment

Theft convictions have devastating consequences for Lompoc residents working at Vandenberg Space Force Base or Federal Correctional Complex because theft crimes demonstrate dishonesty and lack of trustworthiness under Department of Defense adjudicative guidelines resulting in suspension or revocation of security clearances and termination from federal employment. We protect Vandenberg and federal employment by pursuing dismissals through civil compromise, diversion, or suppression of evidence avoiding any convictions appearing on security clearance reviews, negotiating charge reductions to non-theft offenses when possible minimizing character concerns in clearance adjudications, demonstrating to employers and clearance adjudicators that charges are being aggressively contested and don’t reflect dishonesty when allegations are false or overstated, coordinating with security clearance attorneys when necessary to address Department of Defense concerns about financial responsibility and trustworthiness, and fighting for outcomes preserving federal employment essential to supporting families in Lompoc’s government-dependent economy. Many Vandenberg Space Force Base contractors, civilian employees, and Federal Correctional Complex workers we represent face theft allegations that would destroy careers and security clearances if convicted—and we structure defense strategies specifically to protect these employment opportunities through dismissals, charge reductions, or diversion programs that avoid theft-related convictions triggering automatic clearance revocations and terminations in community where federal and military employment are primary sources of stable careers with benefits for thousands of families.

Local Experience at Lompoc Superior Court Makes Difference

Theft prosecutions at Lompoc Superior Court on North H Street require understanding which judges are receptive to civil compromise agreements versus those who routinely deny them, how Santa Barbara County prosecutors evaluate theft cases and make charging decisions under Proposition 47, what evidence effectively challenges valuations keeping charges as misdemeanors, and how to negotiate with victims and businesses in Lompoc community to secure restitution agreements allowing case dismissals. We’ve defended hundreds of theft cases at Lompoc Superior Court, know the judges who handle theft matters and their approaches to sentencing and diversion eligibility, understand prosecutor policies on grand theft charging and civil compromise, can connect clients with appraisers who provide credible valuations challenging prosecution’s inflated amounts, and know how to negotiate with loss prevention at Ocean Avenue and H Street stores, Lompoc business owners, and victims to secure civil compromises. We also understand theft prosecution dynamics in Lompoc including shoplifting from local retailers struggling with organized theft, employee theft from hospitality businesses and restaurants in tourism-dependent economy, vehicle burglaries at Vandenberg parking areas, and methamphetamine-related property crimes where substance abuse drives theft requiring treatment not incarceration making rehabilitation arguments effective at Lompoc Superior Court for judges willing to provide second chances to defendants demonstrating efforts to overcome addictions and rebuild lives.

How Central Coast Criminal Defense Fights Theft Charges

Since 2010, we’ve defended Lompoc residents against theft and property crime charges with a proven approach:

1. Immediate Case Assessment and Proposition 47 Analysis
   We immediately assess charges and whether property values are under $950 making offenses misdemeanors under Proposition 47, evaluate whether charges should be shoplifting misdemeanor rather than commercial burglary under PC 459.5, identify potential defenses including lack of intent to permanently deprive, claim of right, mistaken identity, or illegal searches, determine eligibility for civil compromise under PC 1377 or diversion programs, and develop strategy for minimizing charges and avoiding convictions impacting Vandenberg employment.
2. Challenging Property Valuations
   We retain independent appraisers to evaluate stolen property demonstrating fair market value under $950 contradicting prosecution’s inflated grand theft valuations, gather evidence of property condition, age, depreciation, and market factors reducing value below felony threshold, prepare cross-examination of prosecution’s valuation witnesses challenging methodology and assumptions, present evidence to prosecutors and judges at Lompoc Superior Court that values don’t support grand theft charges, and secure charge reductions from felony to misdemeanor when valuations are successfully challenged.
3. Negotiating Civil Compromise
   We contact victims, businesses, or loss prevention at Lompoc stores offering full restitution for stolen property or damages, structure affordable payment plans allowing defendants to compensate victims while maintaining Vandenberg employment, obtain signed PC 1377 civil compromise agreements where victims acknowledge full restitution and request prosecution dismissals, present civil compromise motions to prosecutors and judges demonstrating victims are made whole and seek case dismissals, and secure complete dismissals avoiding convictions when civil compromises are approved by courts.
4. Pursuing Diversion Programs
   We qualify first-time offenders for pretrial diversion programs, drug diversion when theft was motivated by substance abuse, mental health diversion, or deferred entry of judgment programs, complete required counseling, community service, theft prevention classes, and restitution during diversion periods, demonstrate successful compliance and rehabilitation to prosecutors and judges, and obtain complete dismissals of charges after diversion completion avoiding convictions and criminal records.
5. Suppression of Illegally Obtained Evidence
   We file motions to suppress evidence obtained through illegal searches and seizures when loss prevention at Ocean Avenue stores or Lompoc Police lacked probable cause to detain or search defendants, challenge stops and searches of vehicles when officers exceeded constitutional authority, suppress statements obtained in violation of Miranda rights, exclude evidence obtained through illegal searches of Lompoc residences, and secure dismissals when critical evidence is suppressed making prosecution unable to prove charges beyond reasonable doubt.
6. Demonstrating Lack of Criminal Intent
   We present evidence showing defendants lacked intent to permanently deprive owners when property was borrowed with intent to return, had claim of right believing they had ownership or authorization to take property through gifts, loans, or relationships, demonstrate civil disputes over loans, debts, or business transactions that should be resolved civilly not criminally, show defendants had permission or reasonable belief of permission from owners, and establish lack of criminal intent defeating theft charges requiring specific intent elements.
7. Trial Defense
   When cases proceed to trial at Lompoc Superior Court we present comprehensive defenses through defendant testimony explaining conduct and demonstrating lack of criminal intent, witnesses contradicting prosecution’s theft allegations or supporting defendant’s claim of right, expert testimony on valuations demonstrating property worth less than $950, cross-examination of loss prevention personnel, police officers, and victims exposing weaknesses in prosecution’s case, and arguments demonstrating reasonable doubt based on insufficient evidence of intent, value, or unlawful taking.
8. Protecting Vandenberg and Federal Employment
   Throughout cases we coordinate with security clearance attorneys when necessary for Vandenberg Space Force Base employees, communicate with employers explaining charges are being contested when appropriate, structure case resolutions avoiding theft-related convictions that would trigger clearance revocations, pursue dismissals, civil compromises, or charge reductions to non-theft offenses minimizing security clearance impacts, and fight to preserve federal employment essential to supporting families in Lompoc’s economy.
9. Minimizing Restitution Obligations
   We challenge restitution amounts when victims or prosecutors inflate losses beyond actual property values, negotiate reasonable restitution orders defendants can afford, structure payment plans allowing compliance while maintaining employment at Vandenberg and Lompoc businesses, and protect defendants from excessive restitution that would bankrupt families or prevent ability to pay while supporting dependents in Lompoc community.

Our Lompoc theft defense practice is built on successfully minimizing charges and avoiding convictions. We’ve secured complete dismissals through civil compromise agreements where victims accepted restitution and requested prosecution dismissals, challenged property valuations reducing felony grand theft to misdemeanor petty theft under Proposition 47, obtained dismissals through diversion programs for first-time offenders, suppressed evidence from illegal searches and seizures at Lompoc stores and residences, demonstrated lack of criminal intent through claim of right and permission defenses, negotiated charge reductions from burglary to shoplifting under PC 459.5, protected Vandenberg Space Force Base employment by avoiding theft convictions that would destroy security clearances, minimized restitution obligations through challenges to inflated victim claims, and helped countless Lompoc residents avoid felony convictions for conduct that should be misdemeanors under Proposition 47, secure second chances through diversion and civil compromise avoiding criminal records, and rebuild lives after mistakes without permanent branding as thieves in close-knit community. We understand that many theft charges involve first-time offenders who made poor decisions, individuals struggling with substance abuse who commit property crimes to support addictions requiring treatment not incarceration, employees accused of theft from Lompoc employers based on misunderstandings or civil disputes, and defendants facing inflated grand theft charges when independent valuations would show property worth less than $950 making offenses misdemeanors—and we fight to distinguish civil disputes from criminal conduct, challenge valuations keeping charges as misdemeanors, negotiate victim compensation avoiding convictions through civil compromise, and secure diversion and probation outcomes allowing rehabilitation and second chances for Lompoc residents who deserve opportunities to move forward without permanent criminal records destroying employment at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Federal Correctional Complex or branding them as dishonest in community where trustworthiness is essential to careers and reputation.

When theft charges threaten your Vandenberg employment, financial stability, and reputation, you need more than just legal representation—you need an advocate who fights for dismissals, Proposition 47 relief, and civil compromise. That’s exactly what you get with Central Coast Criminal Defense.

Get Your Free Consultation Today

Don’t wait if charged with theft or property crimes. Proposition 47 provides relief for theft under $950. Civil compromise allows dismissals when victims accept restitution. Call now for immediate theft defense consultation protecting your record and Vandenberg employment.