Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Thefts offenses are divided into petty theft and grand theft, which is more serious.

Usually grand theft means the value of the stolen property is more than $400, but theft of certain items -- guns, farm animals or cars -- is grand theft no matter what the value.

Penal Code 487a specifically say it is grand theft to steal the carcass of a cow, pig, horse, sheep, goat or mule.

Grand theft is a wobbler, meaning it can charged as a felony with a maximum sentence of three years in state prison or a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.

It stands for several years in prison if convicted on the felony. It's the modern version of 'horse thief' charges. If serious about getting counsel to defend and represent you in seeking a plea bargain or taking the case to trial, feel free to contact me.