State of Emergency Burglary Attorney in Los Angeles, CA, Defends Those Facing a Looting Charge in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Ventura County, or Elsewhere in Southern California
If you’re facing charges of looting or burglary during a state of emergency in Southern California, there’s a lot at stake. During wildfires and other emergency situations, authorities strictly enforce looting laws, making an example of those charged with burglary crimes. Whether your arrest for looting resulted from a misunderstanding, false allegations, or a mistake, it’s too late to take back, so putting up a strong defense provides the best hope of a favorable outcome. When you need a Los Angeles looting defense lawyer you can count on, turn to The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney.
Law enforcement agencies prioritize crime suppression during a state of emergency. When police officers and prosecutors crack down on perceived offenders, the accused face particularly serious charges and harsh penalties. Building your defense strategy can’t wait—and with our firm’s 24/7 availability, it won’t have to. For a free consultation with an experienced state of emergency burglary attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact us today.
Facing Looting Charges During a State of Emergency in Los Angeles?
Theft is against California law even in routine circumstances, but theft-related offenses are treated with particular gravity during wildfires, natural disasters, and emergencies of other kinds.
Overzealous enforcement of unauthorized access restrictions in evacuation zones could result in looting and burglary charges being filed with minimal or circumstantial evidence or without proper procedures being followed. In some situations, just being found in a mandatory evacuation zone without a valid reason for being there could lead to arrest and charges for failing to obey evacuation orders.
If you’re accused of robbery, burglary, looting, or another theft-related offense, as well, you could be facing felony charges. That means you could be sentenced to a significant prison term, significant fines, and the long-lasting impact of having a criminal record.
You need to do everything in your power to avoid a conviction, get charges dropped or downgraded, or put forth strong arguments of mitigating circumstances. Otherwise, with the state’s tendency to prosecute defendants accused of looting to the fullest extent of the law, you’re likely facing severe penalties.
Looting Charges and Potential Consequences
California state law, under Section 463 of Chapter 2 of the state’s Penal Code, establishes the crime of looting as a theft-related offense that occurs in specific situations that include:
- During a declared state of emergency
- During a declared local emergency
- In an area that is under an evacuation order
Typically, these situations arise out of circumstances such as fires, earthquakes, floods, other natural disasters, riots, or manmade emergencies.
The types of offenses that can constitute looting under these circumstances include:
- Burglary: Entering a store, warehouse, or other building that is not an inhabited dwelling with the intention of committing theft or any felony crime
- Grand theft: Stealing an automobile, a firearm, property of any kind that exceeds $950 in value, or other amounts of specific types of goods and property
- Petty theft: Stealing property that does not amount to the value or type of goods that constitutes grand theft
Depending on the charges against you, you could be facing months to years in prison for looting. You could also be fined—potentially up to $10,000—and sentenced to mandatory community service and probation. If you’re convicted of any looting crime, you could face the lifelong personal and professional impact of social stigma that results from having a criminal record.
These charges are serious, and so are the consequences. With a Los Angeles looting defense lawyer on your side, you can begin developing the strongest possible strategies to defend against these allegations.
How The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Can Defend You Against Looting Charges
Don’t make the mistake of underestimating the legal trouble you’re in when charged with looting. The law provides for significant consequences in these cases, and prosecutors often pursue the maximum penalties to make an example of defendants.
Only with the guidance of a Los Angeles looting defense lawyer who fully understands the nuances of these complex cases can you hope to achieve the most favorable outcome possible. The team at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney has a record of getting our clients results that include dropped or downgraded charges, not-guilty trial verdicts, and reduced sentences.
Effective Defense Strategies for Looting Offenses
To convict you of a looting offense, the prosecution needs to prove that you committed the theft crime during a state of emergency, local emergency, or evacuation. As your state of emergency burglary attorney in Los Angeles, CA, we will consider all possible arguments that could be used in your defense, such as the following.
Mistaken Identity
Witness statements aren’t always reliable. If you were arrested after the fact for an alleged crime you didn’t commit, we can work to establish a mistaken identity defense by providing evidence of your real whereabouts at the time the theft occurred or highlighting inaccuracies in the testimony used to identify you as the defendant.
False Allegations
Perhaps the wrongful identification of you as the perpetrator of a looting offense wasn’t a mistake but instead an intentional deception. Whether a witness or supposed victim lied for personal gain of some kind or in a vendetta against you, we can carefully pick apart false allegations to expose inconsistencies and question the credibility of your accuser.
Lack of Intent
The act of looting requires intentional burglary or theft. We may be able to argue that you did not intend to commit a crime if, for example, you had consent to enter the space you are accused of burglarizing or if you found yourself stuck inside a disaster or evacuation zone and entered an already vandalized or burglarized building while looking for help.
Good Faith Reasons for Theft
Even if you did commit the theft, you may have had good reason to do so. If the items you took were necessities, like medical supplies used to treat wounds that required urgent intervention, we may be able to argue that the theft was justified by your circumstances.
Insufficient Evidence
The prosecution has to prove all elements of a looting case and establish your guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If we can cast doubt on the prosecutor’s arguments or emphasize ways in which the case against you falls short of meeting the requirements for a conviction, we may be able to secure a not-guilty verdict at trial or even get charges dropped before the case proceeds to trial.
Our Successful Approach to Criminal Defense Planning
Every looting case involves unique circumstances. As your Los Angeles looting defense lawyer, we will develop personalized strategies and arguments based on the facts of your specific situation. You can count on us to:
- Investigate the full facts, identifying any potential evidence or mitigating circumstances that could work in your favor
- Develop a legal strategy and strong defense arguments
- Challenge the collection, handling, accuracy, and sufficiency of the evidence against you
- Represent your best interests throughout all stages of legal proceedings
- Pursue the most favorable outcome possible for you, whether that means negotiating reduced charges, presenting your case in court, or advocating for lesser sentences in the event of a conviction
With The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney fighting for your freedom, you can approach the criminal justice process with confidence that you’re as prepared as possible for what’s ahead.
Why Choose The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney?
When you need a Los Angeles looting defense lawyer who is dedicated to protecting your best interests, you need The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney. Throughout Southern California, we’re known for providing comprehensive criminal defense help with skill and compassion.
Comprehensive Representation Against Looting Charges
You can count on us for comprehensive legal help for theft crimes of all kinds, from petty theft and misdemeanor burglary to the most serious grand larceny offenses. Every looting charge has the potential to impact your life in significant ways, but through a strong defense strategy, it’s possible to minimize this impact. As your state of emergency burglary attorney in Los Angeles, CA, we will work tirelessly to achieve the most favorable resolution possible in your legal matter.
The Skills to Manage Complex Cases
Looting charges involve more complications than charges arising out of simple theft violations. At The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney, we draw on our full legal skills, cultivated over more than 100 years of combined experience in legal practice, to develop effective solutions to the challenging legal issues you’re facing. We’re prepared to examine your case from every angle and construct the strategy that best supports your defense.
Compassionate Client Service and Responsive Communication
Facing criminal charges leads to a lot of stress and worry. Whatever the circumstances of the offense you’ve been accused of, you deserve to be treated with respect and empathy for the challenges you’re going through. Our team recognizes that every client we serve is a real person, and we approach your defense with compassion. We’re committed to providing you peace of mind through clear, responsive communication at every stage of the legal process.
Contact a Los Angeles Looting Defense Lawyer at The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney Today for a Free Case Evaluation
Don’t risk facing the worst possible outcome of looting charges by failing to take your legal defense seriously. You need the advantages of an experienced legal team that’s dedicated to protecting your rights and your future.
For help from a state of emergency burglary attorney in Los Angeles, CA, contact The Law Offices of Christopher Chaney online or call 818-330-5198 today.
