Theft is the unauthorized removal of property belonging to another person or entity. Felony theft charges are based on the value of stolen items, with some regions also considering certain items or identity theft as felonies. The use of violence or weapons during theft can lead to higher penalties.
Theft is the intentional removal of property belonging to another person or entity without authorization or purchase. For theft to be charged as a felony, the stolen items or money typically must exceed a certain value. In some regions, a felony that warrants a felony theft charge is also referred to as grand larceny. There are several types of criminal theft, usually defined by the monetary value of the stolen items.
Many regions divide felony theft charges into categories, usually called classes. In most areas, a class one theft charge is reserved for extremely high-value items. The lowest acceptable value typically carries a class five or six misdemeanor charge; people convicted of low-value crimes can face much shorter sentences and fines than those convicted of a first- or second-class felony. Any theft whose value is less than the lower limit for a felony charge is usually charged as a misdemeanor, also called petty theft.
While most thefts qualify for felony charges based on value, some jurisdictions may also qualify the theft of certain items as a felony. In some regions, the theft of weapons or weapons is considered a crime, regardless of value. It’s also important to note that not all regions have the same minimum or maximum amounts for different theft charge levels; what is a crime in one region may qualify as a crime in another.
Identity theft can sometimes result in criminal theft charges regardless of the value. Since an identity has no intrinsic monetary value, charges may depend on the intent of the perpetrator, the method used, and the harm done to the victims. If a person uses someone else’s identity to commit certain fraudulent actions, such as stealing mail, the perpetrator could not only face state or local charges, but also be subject to a federal investigation. Typically, in addition to the prison sentence, those convicted of credit card fraud or personal identity theft are required to pay damages to help restore the victim’s creditworthiness or monetary standing.
The use of violence, threats, or weapons to perpetrate theft can lead to associated criminal theft charges, even if the theft itself has a relatively small monetary value. Generally the penalties for robbery by force, snatching or other theft-related weapons charges are much higher than those for the theft itself. Some regions have specific guidelines that distinguish violent from nonviolent crime; penalties for a violent crime are typically extremely high. The use of firearms to commit theft is generally considered the most extreme type of violent theft, although if the victim is seriously injured or killed during a theft, the penalties are significantly increased for the perpetrator.
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