Real Life Wedding Crashers – What is the Penalty in California?

The movie “Wedding Crashers” is a popular comedy that follows two men as they crash wedding receptions as a mischievous prank.¹ But there’s nothing funny about getting caught crashing a wedding because, depending on what you do and where the wedding is held, you could be charged with a serious crime.

In a recent case, a man allegedly crashed a wedding reception at a golf course in Tustin and stole a box of gifts for the newlyweds. A video surveillance camera filmed the man’s actions, and he could now be facing charges for entering a structure with the intent to steal.²

In another case, which happened in New Jersey, three teenagers crashed a wedding, mingled with the guests, enjoyed the booze, and took their picture in a photo booth provided for wedding guests. Then one of them threw the manager on the ground as they were escaping. They are being charged with robbery and theft.³

In yet another case, this one in Pennsylvania, Joseph Franzone, who was dubbed “The Wedding Crasher Thief” pled guilty to theft and was sentenced to 4-8 years in prison for stealing gifts from weddings that totaled over $10,000 in value.⁴ In addition to the prison time, he’s been ordered to pay $12,935 in restitution.⁵

Regardless of what impression the Hollywood movie leaves, crashing a wedding reception can get you in serious trouble, especially if you have an intention of stealing.

Wedding Crashers and California Law

If you crash a wedding reception in California, there can be serious consequences, even if you don’t steal anything but refreshments. Depending what you do while you are at the wedding reception, you could be charged with various crimes. Below are some of them, starting with the least serious.

Criminal Trespass (PC 602)

If the reception is held in a rented place, such as the clubhouse of a golf course, you could be charged with criminal trespassing for entering a place of business and interfering with the activities there. In most cases, this is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.⁶

Theft

If the wedding reception is held in a public place like a park or the beach, and you steal, even if you only eat and drink the refreshments without being invited, you could be charged with theft.

Petty Theft (PC 488)

Petty theft, where the value of the stolen goods amounts to less than $50 (for instance food and drink), can be charged as an infraction or a misdemeanor. You can’t go to jail for an infraction, but you could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250 (PC 490.5).

Misdemeanor petty theft, where the value of the stolen goods is under $950, is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a $1,000 fine (PC 490).

Grand Theft (PC 487a)

If the value of the stolen goods is $950 or more, you could be charged with grand theft. Grand theft can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the facts of your case and any criminal history you have.

Misdemeanor grand theft is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Felony grand theft is punishable by16 months, 2, or 3 years in county jail and a fine of up to $10,000.⁷

Burglary (PC 459)

If the reception is held in a private place, like a rented reception hall, and you enter the structure with the intent to steal, you could be charged with burglary. Burglary is a serious crime in California, and there are different types of burglary depending on the value of the goods you take and what type of a structure you enter to take them.⁸

Second Degree Burglary (PC 460 (a))

Second degree burglary is when you enter any structure besides a residence and you intend to steal or commit a felony. Second degree burglary is a wobbler. The prosecutor can charge you with a felony or a misdemeanor. Some factors which can influence whether you’re charged with a felony or a misdemeanor are whether you have a prior criminal record and the value of the goods you took.

Felony second degree burglary is punishable by up to three years in county jail.

Misdemeanor second degree burglary can be sentenced by up to one year in county jail.

First Degree Burglary (PC 460 (a))

If you crash a wedding that is held in a private residence with the intention of stealing or committing a felony, you could be charged with first degree burglary. First degree burglary is a strike.⁹ It is punishable by two, four, or six years in prison. Because it’s a strike, you must serve 85% of your sentence, even with good behavior. If you have a prior strike, your sentence is doubled and you must serve at least 80% of the time. If it is your third strike, you could be sentenced to prison for 25 years to life.

Call Wallin & Klarich Today

If you or a loved one has been arrested for crashing a wedding, you need to talk to an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney immediately. Many of the above crimes are wobblers, meaning that the prosecutor has the option of charging you with a less serious crime or even an infraction depending on the facts of your case.

At Wallin & Klarich, our skilled attorneys have over 40 years of experience successfully defending clients facing criminal charges. We will meet with you to review the facts of your case and plan a defense strategy to get you the very best outcome possible.

With offices located in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is an experienced Wallin & Klarich criminal defense attorney available to help you no matter where you work or live.

Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free phone consultation. We will be there when you call.

<sup>1. [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396269/]↩
2. [http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/The-Ultimate-Wedding-Crasher-Steals-Undisclosed-Amount-of-Money-278721911.html ]↩
3. [http://abcnews.go.com/US/jersey-wedding-crashers-wanted-robbery/story?id=25709035]↩
4. [http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2014/07/07/admitted-wedding-crasher-thief-sentenced-to-prison-in-montco/ ]↩
5. [http://www.timesherald.com/general-news/20141028/judge-denies-bid-to-reduce-sentence-for-bridgeport-man-that-crashed-weddings ]↩
6. [http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=14.&part=1.&chapter=&article= ]↩
7. [http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=13.&part=1.&chapter=5.&article= ]↩
8. [http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=13.&part=1.&chapter=2.&article= ]↩
9. [http://www.courts.ca.gov/documents/Three-Strikes-Amendment-Couzens-Bigelow.pdf ]↩</sup>