Petty Theft v. Grand Theft

When a person is arrested for burglary, robbery, auto theft, or any other theft offense, the severity of the charges is determined by the value of the stolen property. Each state has a different threshold for what constitutes grand theft (a felony) and what constitutes petty theft (a misdemeanor). In California, for example, when the value of the stolen property is $400 or more it is considered grand theft. As the value of the stolen property increases, so does the degree of the charges. For example, if the value of the stolen goods is right around $400, the offender may be charged with a 3rd degree felony, where as someone who steals $100,000 worth of property is likely to face 1st degree felony charges. In California, when the value of the stolen goods is less than $400, it is a misdemeanor. In some states, however, the threshold for grand theft is even lower, starting at $200 or $300.

If you have been arrested in connection with a theft crime, it’s extremely important to speak with a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney right away. The sooner you speak with an attorney, the sooner action can be taken towards building a strong and compelling defense on your behalf.  You need to find an attorney who is not only experienced in criminal defense law, who also has experience defending people against theft crimes specifically. With proper defense, you have a much better chance of beating your charges and resolving your case successfully.

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