Bakersfield · Kern County
Bakersfield Theft & Robbery Defense Lawyer
From a shoplifting ticket to a felony robbery strike, theft cases follow you for years. The defense has to start now.
California treats theft as a 'crime of moral turpitude' — meaning it can wreck employment, housing, and licensing long after the case closes. Robbery is even more serious: a strike offense that can add decades in state prison if a weapon was alleged. Christopher Martens has handled thousands of criminal cases since 2005, including petty theft, grand theft, burglary, and armed robbery in Kern County.
Police and store loss prevention are trained to get statements before you talk to a lawyer. Anything you say is the prosecution's case.
Memberships & Affiliations
Understanding Theft And Robbery Charges In California
California's theft laws cover everything from a $20 grocery store accusation to multimillion-dollar embezzlement. The line between misdemeanor and felony often turns on a $950 threshold, on what the property was, or on whether force was used. Robbery and carjacking are 'strike' offenses under California's Three Strikes Law and carry mandatory state prison time. The strategy in any theft or robbery case starts with attacking the elements — value, intent, identity, and force.
Theft & Robbery Charges Martens Law Firm Defends
- Petty theft (PC 484/488)
- Grand theft (PC 487)
- Grand theft of a firearm (PC 487(d))
- Shoplifting (PC 459.5)
- Burglary — first and second degree (PC 459)
- Robbery — first and second degree (PC 211)
- Carjacking (PC 215)
- Receiving stolen property (PC 496)
- Embezzlement (PC 503)
- Identity theft (PC 530.5)
- Forgery (PC 470)
- Auto theft / joyriding (VC 10851)
- Organized retail theft (PC 490.4)
- Petty theft with a prior (PC 666)
- Strike enhancements and gun allegations
How Martens Law Firm Defends A Theft Or Robbery Case
Theft and robbery cases turn on identification, intent, and the chain of evidence. We attack each piece — surveillance video, eyewitnesses, loss prevention statements, and the police report — and look for the reduction or dismissal that protects your record.
Challenge identification and surveillance
Attack the value calculation
Argue lack of intent or claim of right
Suppress unlawful searches and statements
Negotiate misdemeanor or diversion
Defeat strike and weapon allegations
Push for restitution-only resolutions
Pursue PC 17(b) reduction and expungement
What A Theft Or Robbery Case Can Cost You
| Issue | Martens Law Defense Priority |
|---|---|
| Custody time | Defeat strike allegations and reduce charges |
| Criminal record | Pursue dismissal, reduction, and PC 1203.4 |
| Employment | Limit conviction to non-disqualifying offense |
| Professional licensing | Document the record for licensing boards |
| Immigration | Coordinate with immigration counsel |
| Civil demand letters | Advise before any payment is made |
| Restitution | Negotiate reasonable amounts |
| Strike consequences | Fight the strike at every stage |
What Clients Say About Martens Law Firm
Verified reviews from Avvo. Read more on our testimonials page.
The Attorney You Need
"I hired Mr. Martens to represent me in Kings County. The criminal charges against me had me looking at being sentenced to life. He took my case to trial and we walked away with 3 not guilty verdicts. During my case, I had acquired 4 different lawyers and not a single one of them wanted to take my case."
Thankful For Martens
"Thanks to the law office of Christopher Martens, they spoke on my and my family's behalf, and showed the judge the person I am now and not to judge me by my past. I picked up an assault charge that would have given me my third strike, but with their help we got a much better outcome."
Very Informative And Professional
"I hired Mr. Martens for a case I thought was going to completely derail my life, but Mr. Martens and his staff helped me every step of the way. They handled everything with the utmost professionalism and were readily available to answer my questions."
Martens Is An Excellent Attorney
"I hired Christopher Martens to handle my son's case! Best choice was going with him and his amazing team to help us through the tough times. We got the results we wanted and needed. I really recommend him if you or a loved one is in need of a criminal attorney — he knows what he's doing and fights for you."
Best Decision
"Hiring Martens Law Firm was the best decision. I had searched for a lawyer I was truly happy with, and his staff was very supportive and helpful. The end results were beyond exceeded. Thank you for giving me this second chance."
An Outstanding Lawyer
"Mr. Christopher R. Martens did a fantastic job in my case with an awesome outcome in the end. What was best — he took care of everything. I did not even have to be in front of the judge once. I totally appreciated his knowledge and professionalism."
Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee the outcome of any future case.
Theft & Robbery Case Timeline
- Step 1
Investigation / arrest / citation
- Step 2
Arraignment and plea
- Step 3
Discovery and motions
- Step 4
Preliminary hearing (felonies)
- Step 5
Negotiation or diversion
- Step 6
Trial
- Step 7
Sentencing
- Step 8
PC 17(b) reduction and expungement
Theft & Robbery Defense In Bakersfield And Kern County
Kern County prosecutors aggressively charge theft and robbery cases — particularly organized retail theft and gun-enhanced robberies. Cases are heard at Kern County Superior Court in Bakersfield and outlying branches. Knowing the local DA's filing patterns and judges' sentencing tendencies is essential to negotiating the right resolution.
- Bakersfield
- Delano
- Lamont
- Mojave
- Ridgecrest
- Shafter
- Taft
- Wasco
Bakersfield Office: 1712 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
A Defense Built To Protect Your Record And Your Freedom
Christopher Martens approaches every theft and robbery case the same way: assume it goes to trial, then negotiate from strength. That mindset has produced reductions, dismissals, and 'no strike' resolutions for clients across Kern County since 2005.
- ✓ 20+ years of criminal defense experience
- ✓ 100+ jury trials
- ✓ Thousands of cases handled since 2005
- ✓ Misdemeanor and felony defense
Frequently Asked Questions
- Theft (Penal Code 484) is the unlawful taking of someone else's property. Robbery (Penal Code 211) is the taking of property directly from a person by force or fear. Robbery is always a felony and is one of California's most serious 'strike' offenses under the Three Strikes Law.
Don't Let A Theft Charge Define Your Future
Call Martens Law Firm now to discuss the allegations, the evidence, and the strongest defense strategy for your case.