HABLA ESPAÑOL • AVAILABLE 24/7/365 • HELP WITH BAIL BONDS

(949) 622-5522
(949) 622-5522
En Español
Schedule Consultation

Grand Theft Auto in Anaheim

Available 24/7/365
See All Criminal Defense Practice Areas

As Seen In

10 News First
CNN
Court TV
Forbes
Huff Post Live Alt
Huff Post Live
KTLA

Grand Theft Auto in Anaheim

Summary: This page covers Necessary Elements to Prove Grand Theft Auto, Defending Against GTA.

In the city of Anaheim and in the state of California, if you steal, take or drive someone else’s car without their permission and with the intent of depriving them of their vehicle, then you can be charged under California Penal Code 487(d)(1) and found guilty of Grand Theft Auto.

Necessary Elements to Prove Grand Theft Auto

For the prosecution to successfully prove your guilt in a Grand Theft Auto (GTA) case against you, they must prove the following key elements:

  • That you took or stole someone else’s car
  • That you didn’t have the owner’s permission to take the car
  • That the value of the car was more than $950 (in most cases)
  • That your intention was to take the car long enough for the owner to feel deprived of the car or to permanently deprive them of their car

Defending Against GTA

If you are charged with GTA, it is very important to find an attorney capable and experienced enough in GTA trials to fight against the charges for you. The sooner you are able to call them to defend you, the sooner they will be able to mount a strong defense on your behalf.

Some of the defense strategies that they will explore to defend you include:

  • You didn’t intend to steal the car
  • You have been wrongfully accused of stealing or taking someone’s car
  • As far as you knew, the car belonged to you
    • o For example, say there was a scenario where someone wanted to give her friend a brand new car, but did not possess a sufficient amount of funds or was in the right financial place to do so. Therefore, she stole someone’s car and committed grand theft auto so that she could gift it to her friend. Later, after a short period of time, her friend is found to be driving a stolen car. Because the friend had no knowledge that the car was stolen and he believed that it was under his ownership after his friend had gifted it to him, then he would not be the one guilty of grand theft auto.
  • You actually acquired consent from the owner of the car to drive it
    • o For example, say, for instance, someone were to allow his friend to borrow his car because she needed it to go to work for a certain period of time. However, that period of time was never specified between the two parties. After a few weeks of the other party borrowing the car, the owner of the vehicle started to have suspicions that the other party intended to steal his car. After not having it for a month, the owner of the car charged his friend with grand theft auto. However, the person who borrowed the car could use the defense that she had the full intentions of returning it back after she was done using it and that she had the consent of the owner to use it for her work purposes.

There are, of course, several other defense strategies that a good attorney can use to prove that you are not guilty of Grand Theft Auto.

Contact an attorney at the Johnson Criminal Law Group now to discuss your case.

Get A Criminal Defense Consultation Now

Do you already have a court date?*
Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Recover Your Future with a Commanding Legal Defense

Immediate Action to Restore Control

Neutralize threats & prevent escalation with a firm that begins active case management as soon as you retain us

24/7 Access to Elite Legal Counsel

Connect with a member of our team at any time to begin addressing your legal challenges swiftly and decisively

Resolve Uncertainty with Clear Guidance

Reduce stress and uncertainty through honest, candid assessments and a clear, strategic path to resolution

Fierce Representation for Urgent Situations

Secure lasting stability for you or your loved one through an aggressive defense and diligent case preparation

Contact Us 24/7/365

Criminal Defense Case Results

Mr. R was charged with embezzling close to $100,000 as a utility salesperson using a scheme to steal customers’ identities. Client avoided any jail time and received probation.

Mr. P was charged with embezzling equipment from John Wayne Airport while working as a contractor. Our office negotiated a civil compromise, resulting in the dismissal of felony charges and sealing his arrest record.

Mr. W. was charged with eight counts, including domestic violence, child endangerment, and criminal threats. Our office negotiated an offer of one year in therapy and then a dismissal of all charges.

Mr. H. was found by police passed out in his vehicle with drugs out in the open. Our office was successful in obtaining a diversion out of the criminal justice system and ultimately a dismissal.

Read More Case Results

Hear From Our Clients

Refreshing & Life-Changing Experience

I really appreciate everything she has done for me; I cannot thank her enough! Ms. Johnson-Norris did an absolutely thorough job by answering any and all questions that I had. She called me with updates and preferences on how I should be handling the case, which made the whole process very reassuring. The staff was very up to date with all of the follow-up information that was involved with my case that was also extremely beneficial. Ms. Johnson-Norris had a very reassuring aspect about her that made it very easy to let her handle the case. If anything were to go wrong with anyone I am associated with, she will be the lawyer of choice. I really appreciate everything that she has done for me, I can not thank her enough!

Mr. D., a criminal defense client

Ms. Johnson-Norris was recommended to me by many sources. She was the perfect fit, financially and professionally. I did what she told me to do to get the best possible resolution and it definitely paid off. I would recommend Lauren Johnson-Norris to anyone and am truly grateful for her services. She gave me peace of mind in some bad times. Thanks, Ms. Johnson-Norris!

A client charged with an alcohol-related misdemeanor

Thank you so much for all your help with our case. It was a pleasure meeting you and I appreciate all you’ve done for my family. You are the best attorney that we could have and we are so grateful that we met you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

A juvenile delinquency client’s parent

Ms. Johnson-Norris always made me feel comfortable and confident. I was able to trust her and feel at ease very quickly. I felt like she was always on top of things and she left no questions unanswered and made that stressful time much easier for me.

E.K.

Ms. Johnson-Norris is the absolute definition of an attorney. She not only helped me with my petty theft case, but she also gave me peace of mind during these difficult times. The reason I would recommend Ms. Johnson-Norris is much more than just ‘she gets the job done.’ Rather, she works for you and gets results by taking the burden off you! I want to thank her for her time and encourage anyone who needs help to look to her for answers.

Nicole

Read more Testimonials

Criminal Defense FaQ

What immediate steps will you take to protect my rights?

We provide immediate crisis command by reviewing the allegations against you and intervening with law enforcement to prevent further exposure. From the moment you retain the Firm, we act as your shield, managing all communications and executing a decisive strategy to protect your liberty and reputation.

We prioritize discretion and exposure management. We understand that a public allegation can be as damaging as a conviction; therefore, our strategy focuses on minimizing the visibility of your case while challenging the prosecution’s narrative to preserve your standing in the community.

We begin by meticulously reviewing the allegations to determine if the conduct even constitutes a crime under the law. We then scrutinize the prosecution’s evidence against the highest standard — proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By analyzing the “who, what, when, where, and how,” we identify the natural questions a jury will have, allowing us to build an expert strategy that derails the prosecutor’s narrative.

.

Yes, our firm offers comprehensive legal services in Orange County with a unique focus on “crossover” cases where criminal and juvenile law intersect. Johnson Criminal Law Group provides the specialized expertise necessary to navigate investigations that threaten parental rights and family stability.

When you partner with Johnson Criminal Law Group, you receive 24/7 responsiveness and a clear, strategic plan designed to resolve your legal emergency decisively. We balance aggressive defense strategies with genuine human connection, ensuring you are treated with the respect and transparency you deserve during a crisis

Habla Español • Available 24/7/365 Help With Bail Bonds

Schedule A Consultation
(949) 622-5522