A 68-year-old Los Angeles man is facing multiple charges for allegedly fraudulently acting as an immigration attorney, offering legal advice and representation to those seeking permanent residence in the United States. As Edgardo Guerrero is not an attorney and, as such, was not qualified nor permitted to provide legal services, he now faces four counts of grand theft, two counts of unlawful practice of law, and two counts of immigration consultant services without a bond. Guerrero is being held pending $80,000 bail, following his arrest on Thursday March 23.
Under California law, grand theft charges apply to the theft of items valued at more than $400. Perhaps the most common type of grand theft charges is grand theft auto, which relates to the theft of a vehicle valued above the threshold. Conversely, petty theft charges apply where the value of the theft is less than $400. Aside from the value of the items involved, the main difference between facing petty theft and grand theft charges is that grand theft is a felony, carrying potential state prison sentences, hefty fines, and more. The maximum prison sentence applicable to grand theft charges is 16 months or 3 years for grand theft auto.
When you are facing charges which could potentially carry such significant sentences, you should seek legal representation from a highly-experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney immediately. An attorney from Okabe & Haushalter has the expertise you need to help you avoid these penalties, and can provide the guidance you are sure to need in the circumstances. As soon as you consult with our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys, our legal team can get to work on your case, carefully and thoroughly reviewing the circumstances to enable us to build a strong defense on your behalf.
While working on your Los Angeles criminal defense case, your attorney will seek to confirm that the proper process was followed by law enforcement officials. If the police failed to obtain a valid search warrant, violated your legal rights, or conducted an illegal search and seizure, we may be able to push for dismissal of evidence and, therefore, a successful outcome for you. As our years of legal practice mean we can predict what moves the prosecution are likely to take, we can use negotiation and litigation techniques proven to increase your chances of success.
As every criminal defense case is different, a Los Angeles attorney can only provide the best possible defense for you when equipped with all the relevant details. When we handle your grand theft case, we will inspect all evidence and the circumstances surrounding your arrest with a fine-toothed comb, ensuring all law enforcement officials conducted themselves professionally and appropriately.
If you need a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to secure a successful outcome on your behalf, call us today on 310-430-7799.
