4 Major Differences Between Petty Theft and Grand Theft

You might get arrested and face criminal charges when you’re accused of stealing something or even multiple things. Theft charges can be classified in many different ways, including petty theft and grand theft. Knowing the differences between the two can help you navigate the legal landscape you face when dealing with either charge. There are many differences between petty and grand theft, and the following are four primary ones that you should know.

What Is Theft?

Before diving into the four primary differences between petty theft and grand theft, it helps to define theft. Specific legal details can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but there are usually three crucial factors. First, a person must have taken property belonging to somebody else. Second, they took the property without the owner’s permission, possibly using trickery or deception. Third, they took the property while intending to keep it away from the rightful owner permanently. These kinds of crimes usually involve property taken from a person directly without the use of fear or force, as those kinds of theft are classified as robbery instead.

1. The Statutory Amount

The first dividing line between petty theft and grand theft is what is known as the state statutory amount. Anything less than this amount is petty theft, while anything over it is grand theft. State statutory limits often range from $500 up to $1,000 in many jurisdictions, but every state is different. It’s $950 for California, $300 in Illinois and Florida, and only $250 in Massachusetts.

2. Severity

Generally speaking, a case of petty theft is considered a misdemeanor, whereas grand theft is considered a felony. Misdemeanors are violations of the law, but they’re not as severe as felonies. While petty theft is often considered the lesser of the two offenses, that’s usually assuming one instance of petty theft versus one instance of grand theft.

3. Punishment

Punishment for a misdemeanor is often a fine of up to $1,000 and possibly up to a year in jail. Conversely, felonies are often sentenced to more than a year in jail. Also, felons might go to prison instead of jail, given the length of their sentences.

4. Reputation

Being convicted of a misdemeanor can have a negative impact on future background checks and job applications. However, it might not exclude from as many opportunities as being a convicted felon.

Petty and grand theft are both criminal charges, but grand theft is usually the more serious of the two. The fines are steeper, you can spend more time behind bars, and you’d be convicted of a felony instead of a misdemeanor. The dividing line between these two charges is usually the monetary value of the goods or property stolen, but the amount changes from one state to the next.  If you find yourself having legal trouble with petty theft or grand theft or having legal trouble, it’s smart to seek out an attorney who can help you with legal representation.