California Penal Code §487(c) — Grand Theft from Person
PC §487(c) elevates ordinary theft to grand theft — a wobbler regardless of value — when the property is taken from the person of another. §487(c) is the classic 'pickpocketing' statute and covers phone-snatch, chain-snatch, purse-lift, and similar takings directly from the body or clothing of the victim. Felony exposure is 16 months, 2, or 3 years in county jail under §1170(h); misdemeanor exposure is up to 1 year in county jail. §487(c) is a critical reduction target for §211 robbery cases where the force / fear element is contested.
Reviewed by Daniel S. Rubin, CA Bar 302093 · Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney · Grand Theft from Person Cases in All LA County Courts
01 — Quick Facts
PC §487(c) — Grand Theft from Person at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | California Penal Code §487(c) — Grand Theft From Person |
| Code Type | Penal Code (PC) |
| Classification | Wobbler (misdemeanor or felony) |
| Felony | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail (§1170(h)) |
| Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year county jail |
| Value Threshold | Wobbler regardless of value |
| Strike | No |
| Expungeable | Yes — §1203.4 |
| Immigration | CIMT — deportable / inadmissible |
| Free Consultation | (213) 723-2337 — 24/7 |
01 — What Is PC §487(c)?
What Is California Penal Code §487(c)?
PC §487(c) Reads:
"Grand theft is theft committed in any of the following cases: ... (c) When the property is taken from the person of another."
— California Penal Code §487(c)
§487(c) elevates theft to grand theft based on the manner of taking rather than the value. Any theft accomplished by taking property directly from the body, clothing, or immediate presence of the victim without force or fear qualifies — including pickpocketing, phone-snatch from a hand, chain-snatch off a neck, and purse-lift from a shoulder. The absence of force or fear is what distinguishes §487(c) from §211 robbery — the moment force or fear is used, the offense escalates to robbery.
Why This Law Matters
§487(c) is the primary reduction target from PC §211 second-degree robbery. Where the People's evidence of force or fear is weak, negotiated plea to §487(c) avoids the serious-felony strike, the 5-year §667(a) prior, and the §12022.53 gun enhancement. §487(c) also carries CIMT immigration consequences that require immigration-safe plea structuring. Rubin Law defends by attacking the 'from person' element, litigating robbery-versus-theft distinctions, and negotiating §17(b) reductions.
Official Sources
02 — Elements of the Crime
Elements the Prosecution Must Prove Under PC §487(c)
The People must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt.
Theft — General Elements
Taking of property belonging to another, without consent, with intent to permanently deprive.
Property Taken From the Person
Property must be on the body, in the clothing, or in the immediate physical possession of the victim.
No Force or Fear
Absence of force or fear distinguishes §487(c) from §211 robbery.
Specific Intent
Intent to permanently deprive at the time of taking.
04 — Penalties
Penalties for PC §487(c) Grand Theft from Person in California
Penalty structure and enhancements for this offense.
| Charge | Code | Prison Term | Probation | Strike |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felony §487(c) | PC §487(c) / §1170(h) | 16 months, 2, or 3 years county jail | Formal — up to 2 years | No |
| Misdemeanor (§17(b)) | PC §17(b) | Up to 1 year county jail | Summary — up to 3 years | No |
| Companion §484 Petty Theft | PC §484 | Up to 6 months + $1,000 | Summary | No |
| Reduction from §211 Robbery | PC §211 → §487(c) | Avoids 5-yr strike prior | Available | AVOIDS strike |
Related Enhancements & Charges
Escalation to §211 Robbery
PC §211
Any use of force or fear escalates to robbery — strike offense.
Elder / Dependent Adult Enhancement
PC §368
Enhanced penalties where victim is 65+ or dependent adult.
Great-Bodily-Injury §12022.7
PC §12022.7
GBI enhancement where taking caused injury.
Companion §496 Receiving Stolen Property
PC §496
Alternative theory for downstream possessors.
Beyond the Sentence
- CIMT — deportation / inadmissibility risk
- Employment consequences — theft-from-person on record
- Formal-probation supervision requirements
- Restitution obligation for property and any damage
- Enhanced elder-abuse (§368) exposure where victim 65+
- Escalation risk to §211 robbery on retrial if evidence develops
Sentencing References
05 — Defense Strategies
How Rubin Law Defends PC §487(c) Grand Theft from Person Charges
Rubin Law, P.C. defends this offense through the following strategies.
Not From the Person
Property left on a table, seat, or ground is not 'from the person' — even if within victim's reach. People v. Williams requires actual body / clothing / immediate-possession contact.
People v. Williams
No Intent to Permanently Deprive
Temporary taking, prank, borrowing, and intent to return defeat the specific-intent element required for grand theft.
Intent Element
Reduction From Robbery
Where §211 is filed but force / fear evidence is weak, negotiated reduction to §487(c) avoids strike, §667(a) prior, and §12022.53 gun enhancement.
Robbery Reduction
§17(b) Misdemeanor Reduction
First-offense §487(c) with restitution frequently qualifies for §17(b) reduction to misdemeanor at sentencing or on completion of probation.
Mistaken Identity
Chain-snatch and phone-snatch cases frequently turn on show-up identification and grainy video. Rubin Law challenges eyewitness reliability under People v. Sanchez.
ID Challenge
Claim of Right
Where the defendant reasonably believed the property was theirs — recovery of stolen phone, disputed possession — claim of right defeats theft intent.
Claim of Right
Constitutional Sources
07 — Court Process
How PC §487(c) Grand Theft from Person Cases Move Through Los Angeles Courts
Typical case flow through the LA County courts.
- 1
Step 1 — Arrest / Show-Up
§487(c) arrests frequently follow immediate show-up identification. Do not consent to search or questioning without counsel.
- 2
Step 2 — Filing / Arraignment
DA files felony §487(c) or, if §211 evidence exists, robbery. Bail argument and OR release central.
- 3
Step 3 — Discovery / Preliminary Hearing
Video, victim ID, and physical evidence litigated at prelim. Rubin Law pushes reduction / dismissal at holding order.
- 4
Step 4 — Motion Practice
§17(b) reduction motions, Sanchez / eyewitness litigation, and Pitchess on arresting officers.
- 5
Step 5 — Plea Negotiation
Robbery reductions to §487(c), §17(b) misdemeanor structuring, and immigration-safe plea alternatives.
- 6
Step 6 — Trial or Sentencing
Trial defense focuses on identification, claim of right, and force / fear boundary. Sentencing targets §17(b) reduction and formal-to-summary probation.
Los Angeles Courts That Handle PC §487(c) Grand Theft from Person Cases
Filings are venued in the courthouse serving the taking location.
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
Central LA and DTLA phone-snatch cases.
Airport Courthouse
West LA, Santa Monica, and rideshare cases.
Van Nuys Courthouse East
SFV filings.
Long Beach Courthouse
Long Beach public-transit and beach corridor.
Compton Courthouse
South LA and Metro Blue Line filings.
Reviewed by Your Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin — Los Angeles Grand Theft from Person Defense Attorney
Daniel S. Rubin has defended clients charged with grand theft from person and related offenses in Los Angeles County courts — including Clara Shortridge Foltz, Van Nuys, Compton, and Pomona. He understands that these cases are won in the details: the suppression hearing that eliminates key evidence, the preliminary hearing cross-examination that exposes a weak witness, the penalty phase argument that keeps a client out of the worst outcome.
This page was written and reviewed by Daniel A. Rubin, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, CA State Bar 302093, with 10+ years of experience defending clients charged under PC §487(c) in Los Angeles County. Last reviewed: July 2026.
CA Bar 302093 | Whittier Law School | Rising Star — Super Lawyers 2019–2023 | Grand Theft from Person Cases Throughout LA County
09 — FAQs
PC §487(c) Grand Theft from Person Questions — Los Angeles
What is PC §487(c)?
PC §487(c) elevates theft to grand theft — a wobbler regardless of value — when property is taken directly from the person (body, clothing, or immediate presence) of another without force or fear. It is the classic pickpocketing / phone-snatch statute.
How is §487(c) different from robbery?
The distinguishing element is force or fear. §487(c) requires taking without force or fear; §211 robbery requires taking by force or fear. §211 is a serious-felony strike; §487(c) is not.
Does the value matter?
No. §487(c) is grand theft regardless of the value of the property. A $20 wallet lift or a $2,000 phone snatch are both wobblers.
Is §487(c) a strike?
No. §487(c) grand theft from person is NOT a serious felony strike under §1192.7(c). Only §487(d)(2) grand theft of a firearm is a strike among the §487 variants.
Can §487(c) be reduced to a misdemeanor?
Yes. §487(c) is a wobbler and can be reduced to a misdemeanor under PC §17(b) at initial filing, at sentencing, or on completion of probation. Restitution and first-offense status help.
Is §487(c) a CIMT?
Yes. Grand theft from person is a Crime Involving Moral Turpitude with deportation / inadmissibility consequences. Immigration-safe plea structuring is essential.
What if the property was on a table?
Property taken from a table, seat, or ground — even if within victim's reach — is NOT taken 'from the person.' §487(c) fails; the offense reduces to petty theft (under $950) or value-based grand theft (over $950).
Available 24/7 — Free Consultation
Charged with PC §487(c) Grand Theft From Person? Call Rubin Law.
§487(c) is a CIMT wobbler and a critical reduction target from §211 robbery. Rubin Law, P.C. defends by attacking the from-person element, negotiating robbery reductions, and pursuing §17(b) misdemeanor structuring. Call (213) 723-2337.