Can Lindsay Lohan Avoid a Felony Grand Theft Conviction?

She has been accused of stealing several times in the past. She has been accused and convicted of DUI. But the big question now is whether Lindsay Lohan will be able to avoid conviction and possible prison time in her felony grand theft case. People.com interviewed a number of well-known Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers. Our own Steve Sitkoff was also interviewed by People.

Sitkoff highlighted the important fact that this will by no means be a slam-dunk case for the prosecution. Prosecutors are alleging that the 24-year-old actress stole a $2,500 necklace from a store. According to Steve Sitkoff, all that a criminal defense lawyer needs to do in this felony grand theft case is convince one juror that this was an “innocent misunderstanding.” If her lawyer succeeds in placing that element of doubt in one juror’s mind, Lindsay Lohan can walk out of this unscathed, unless the prosecutor decides to retry the case.

It is unlikely that Lohan will be sentenced to state prison because she is not a physical threat to anyone. It is also possible that Lohan will reach a plea deal and avoid a trial altogether. If she takes that route, she could get up to six months in county jail for the theft and probation violation. As Sitkoff states, in this particular case, the prosecution could find a way to ensure that Lohan does substantial time and prohibit her from early release. Other possibilities include felony probation with no jail time. The charge could also be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor.

Lohan’s case only goes to show that every criminal charge has grave consequences. Whether you have been accused of a misdemeanor or a felony, the experience and skill of the Los Angeles criminal defense attorney you choose can make the difference between whether you serve time in state prison, get probation or walk away from it all. If you or a loved one has been accused of a theft crime in Los Angeles, please contact the experienced Los Angeles theft defense lawyers at Sitkoff & Hanrahan for a free and comprehensive consultation. Call us today at 866-430-8383 to find out how we can help you.