Theft & fraud answers, page 2
Theft, burglary, robbery and fraud charges.
Answers 33 to 63 of 63
Sorted by question. General information, not advice for an individual case. Search the whole library or choose another topic below.
Is forging a doctor's signature on a work or school excuse note a crime?
Forging a doctor's signature on an excuse note can be forgery under Penal Code 470(b) when done to defraud. Why the $950 forgery rule does not apply.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs it a crime to do contracting work in California without a license?
Unlicensed contracting in California is a misdemeanor with penalties that climb on repeat convictions; misusing a license number is a separate crime.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs it a crime to do medical or cosmetic procedures without a medical license in California?
Doing medical or cosmetic procedures in California without a license that allows them can be a felony or misdemeanor, and aiding it carries the same penalty.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs it identity theft to use a deceased relative's Social Security number or benefits?
California identity theft law covers a deceased relative's Social Security number. Keeping their benefits after death raises separate federal crimes.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs it illegal to call yourself a notario publico and charge for immigration paperwork in California?
California bans the notario publico title and limits paid immigration paperwork help to attorneys, federally authorized representatives, or bonded consultants.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs it illegal to own a phone, bike, or laptop with the serial number removed?
Penal Code 537e makes knowingly possessing a phone, bike, or laptop with the serial number removed a crime, even if it can't be proven stolen.
Read answer Theft & fraudIs it theft to keep money sent to you by mistake or property you found?
Keeping found property can be theft in California unless you try to return it. Money sent by mistake is less settled, but civil law says give it back.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs logging into my former employer's accounts after being fired a crime?
Logging into a former employer's accounts without permission can be charged under Penal Code 502. See the penalty tiers, exemptions, and federal law.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs logging into my partner's email or social media account a crime?
Logging into a partner's email or social media without permission can be a crime in California. See the Penal Code 502 and 528.5 penalties.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs possessing a credit card skimming device a crime in California?
Possessing a card skimmer or reencoder with intent to defraud is its own California misdemeanor under Penal Code 502.6, even if it was never used.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs price gouging during an emergency a crime in California?
Penal Code 396 caps price increases during a declared emergency at 10 percent, with different rules for goods, contractors, hotels, and rental housing.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs rolling back a car's odometer before selling it a crime in California?
Rolling back a car's odometer before a sale is a separate California misdemeanor under Vehicle Code 28050 to 28051.5, plus federal civil and criminal exposure.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs running a pyramid or endless chain scheme its own crime in California?
California Penal Code 327 makes running a pyramid or endless chain scheme its own crime, apart from fraud. See the elements, penalty, and civil remedy.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs selling counterfeit designer goods a separate crime from theft?
Selling counterfeit designer goods is its own California crime under Penal Code 350, with exact misdemeanor and felony thresholds and forfeiture rules.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs signing someone else's name forgery if they said I could?
Signing someone's name is forgery only if you lacked authority, knew it, and intended to defraud. How disputed permission fits California's test.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs skipping a restaurant or hotel bill a crime in California?
Penal Code 537 makes skipping a restaurant, hotel, or similar bill with intent to defraud its own crime, with a $950 penalty line and its own evidence rule.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs stealing a package a state or federal crime in California?
Taking a package is theft under California law. State and federal mail theft laws also apply when it was taken from the mail system. How to tell which fits.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerIs using a fake ID a crime in California?
California has several fake ID crimes, from a simple possession misdemeanor to a felony-eligible forgery charge. See which statute actually applies.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat does Penal Code 532 require, and is it a felony or a misdemeanor?
Penal Code 532 is theft by a lie the owner relies on. It is punished by value: $950 or less is usually a misdemeanor, and more can be a felony or a misdemeanor.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat does Penal Code 666 petty theft with a prior require?
PC 666 only applies to petty theft after a prior tied to sex offender registration, a violent felony, or elder abuse. Most old priors do not qualify.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat happens if EDD says I committed unemployment fraud?
An EDD fraud finding is administrative: weeks of disqualification, repayment, a 30 percent penalty, and 30-day appeals. A criminal case is separate.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat if someone used my identity in a theft case?
If someone used your identity in a theft case, California lets you petition for a finding of factual innocence and ask the court to correct public records.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat if store surveillance identifies the wrong person?
Named by store video or loss prevention? California's merchant detention limits, video-based shoplifting arrests, and the eyewitness factors jurors weigh.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat is Hobbs Act robbery?
Hobbs Act robbery is a federal charge with force-or-fear and commerce elements. See how completed and attempted counts differ and what a 20-year ceiling means.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat Is Shopkeeper's Privilege in California?
California lets a merchant investigate suspected theft on probable cause for a reasonable time and manner. Bag searches, identity requests and police action have separate limits.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat Is the Difference Between Burglary and Robbery in California?
California burglary turns on intent at entry; robbery involves a taking by force or fear. See how the allegations differ across one incident.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat is the penalty for catalytic converter theft or possession in California?
California catalytic converter penalties: theft by value, tampering, the purchase infraction, altered-mark and 3-converter crimes, and LA's rule.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat Is Vehicle Code 10851 (Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle)?
VC 10851 (joyriding) punishes taking or driving a car without consent, even briefly. The penalties, the $950 Prop 47 rule, and how it differs from grand theft.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhat makes retail theft organized theft in California?
PC 490.4 charges organized retail theft when people act together to steal and resell merchandise, with felony exposure for a pattern over $950.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhen does a getaway driver become an aider of robbery?
A getaway driver’s robbery liability depends on knowing assistance and when the intent formed. Learn why the carrying-away stage matters.
Read answer Theft & fraudLegal answerWhen does an online sale dispute become a criminal fraud case?
An online sale gone wrong is criminal fraud in California only if someone deceived on purpose at the time of the deal. See the rule and the key evidence.
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