The District Attorney’s Office in San Francisco can offer a diversion program in a shoplifting or petty theft case for a person with no prior criminal record so that a conviction can be avoided. If you are convicted of petty theft, the crime is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months, plus a fine of up to $1,000, and additional fees and restitution under California Penal Code Section 490.

For a first offense of taking property valued at less than $50, the prosecutor has the discretion to reduce the charge to an infraction. The infraction comes with no jail time, but fines of up to $250, and a requirement that you complete community service and an anti-theft class.

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