Categories of Grand Theft and Petty Theft

Grand theft and petty theft are both considered crimes in every state in the U.S. and both involve the act of stealing. However, there are some major differences between grand theft and petty theft, which will be explained in this article.

Petty theft is generally considered the theft of small items and is not considered to be as serious of a crime as grand theft. The definition of petty theft varies by state, but typically involves theft of items under a certain monetary value - usually $400 or $500. Things like shoplifting, stealing supplies from a place of work, stealing from a place where you have permission to be are all usually considered petty theft. Individuals who transfer stolen goods that fall under a certain dollar value can also be considered petty theft in most states, even if the individual transporting the goods is unaware that they are stolen.

Petty theft is usually treated as a misdemeanor and the punishment for this type of theft is not as harsh as the punishment for grand theft. First time offenders will typically be required to complete community service, attend counseling, pay a fine, or pay restitution for the stolen property. In some instances a judge can, and will, sentence an offender to jail time for petty theft. This usually happens in the case of repeat offenders.

Grand theft is considered to be a much more serious crime and involves the theft of larger, more valuable items. Again, what exactly constitutes grand theft varies by state but is typically theft of any item with a worth of over $400 or $500. Many states also consider the theft of any firearm, regardless of worth, to be grand theft as well. In most states, grand theft is considered a felony and the consequences for grand theft are much harsher than those for petty theft.

Grand theft is often punishable with jail time, although the amount of time that a judge will sentence an individual to usually depends on a number of factors, including the value of the item(s) stolen and whether or not the individual has a previous criminal record.

While petty theft is not considered to be as serious of a crime as grand theft, both types of theft can stay on a person's permanent criminal record and can carry stiff penalties if there is a conviction. Most individuals charged with either type of theft choose to retain an attorney to assist them with their case.

*The information contained in this article is intended to be used for informational purposes only and should not be used as legal advice. Those requiring legal advice should retain the services of a licensed attorney.

To learn more about grand and petty theft offenses please visit Riverside, CA attorneys at law Will & Will, LLP.

Was this helpful? 0 0 Comments

You're reading Categories of Grand Theft and Petty Theft.