Accused of shoplifting or theft? An allegation is not a verdict, and the facts deserve scrutiny.
Kolacia Law is led by a former prosecutor who knows what a theft charge requires and how to test the evidence offered to prove it.
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A Theft Attorney in Rancho Cucamonga Who Knows What Is at Stake
Theft is treated as a crime of dishonesty, so a conviction weighs heavily with employers, licensing boards, immigration authorities and security-clearance reviewers. Kolacia Law handles criminal cases only.
Taking property worth $950 or less is generally misdemeanor petty theft; taking more can be grand theft. Entering an open store intending to steal $950 or less is shoplifting. The prosecution must also prove intent to permanently deprive the owner. Under a 2024 law, two prior theft convictions or the combined value of separate thefts can turn a misdemeanor into a felony.
Since 1977, Rancho Cucamonga has contracted with the San Bernardino County Sheriff. Many retail cases start with loss-prevention staff detaining a shopper and end in a citation rather than booking at West Valley Detention Center. Cases from Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma, Etiwanda, Upland, Ontario, Montclair, Chino and Chino Hills are prosecuted by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office and generally heard at the Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse on Haven Avenue.
Theft Defense Built on Trial Experience
Trial-Tested
Former Prosecutor
Focused on Getting Charges Dismissed
Committed to Keeping You Out of Jail
Protecting Your License and Career
Theft Charges We Defend in San Bernardino County
Misdemeanor Theft
- Petty Theft: Up to six months in county jail and a $1,000 fine; some thefts of $50 or less can be infractions.
- Shoplifting: The same penalties, and it bars a separate burglary or theft charge for the same property.
- Receiving Stolen Property of $950 or Less: Up to one year in county jail.
Probation of up to two years, restitution and a court order barring entry to the store may follow a conviction.
Felony Theft
Many theft charges are wobblers that prosecutors may file as misdemeanors or felonies.
- Grand Theft: Up to one year in county jail, or 16 months, two, or three years as a felony; stealing a firearm is a strike.
- Grand Theft Auto or Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle: The same ranges, or up to four years after a felony vehicle theft.
- Petty Theft or Shoplifting With Two Prior Theft Convictions: A wobbler with grand theft ranges, however old the priors.
- Organized Retail Theft: A wobbler when merchandise taken over 12 months exceeds $950.
- Burglary: Commercial burglary is a wobbler; residential burglary is a strike carrying two, four, or six years in state prison.
- Robbery: A felony and a strike carrying two to nine years in state prison; force or fear against store security can make shoplifting a robbery.
Related Charges
Embezzlement, identity theft, forgery and fraud are prosecuted under related laws.
A former prosecutor, now on your side.
Daniel Kolacia was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2006. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in Riverside County and later as a county attorney in Iowa, and he handled cases ranging from DUI and drug charges to white collar crime and homicide. In 2021 he opened Kolacia Law to put that experience to work for the accused.
2006
ADMITTED TO THE BAR
100+
JURY TRIALS
200+
BENCH TRIALS
Insight Into the Prosecution's Case
Credibility at the Negotiating Table
Prepared to Go to Trial
Direct Access to Your Attorney
A Practice Devoted to Criminal Law
Because the firm handles criminal cases exclusively, the same attorney who defends a theft charge can later pursue an expungement.
Proven Results
Recent Case Results
Dismissals, diversions, sealed records and reduced charges: a sample of how we have fought for our clients.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts and circumstances. Client last names are abbreviated for privacy.
What Happens When You Call
Free consultation
A review of the evidence
A path forward
Flexible Payment Plans
Flat
FEES
50%
UPFRONT
No
CREDIT CHECK
Court dates will not wait for payday. Flat fees are set up front, and in-house plans need no credit check.
Pay 50% of the flat fee upfront and spread the balance over several months (a one-time service fee applies). We accept cash, checks, and credit and debit cards, and Affirm financing is also available.
Cash
Checks
Credit & Debit
Affirm Financing
Trusted in the Legal Community and Close to Home
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice
Part of the state’s leading criminal defense bar organization.
Riverside County Bar Association
Active in the Inland Empire legal community.
American Inn of Court
Leo A. Deegan Inn, promoting professionalism and ethics in the law.
California CLETS User Group
Connected to the statewide law enforcement records community.
Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce
A local firm invested in the community we serve.
BBB Accredited Business
A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
