The crime of Theft has been defined as; when a person takes personal property of another person, intentionally and fraudulently, without permission or consent, and with the intention to put it to his own use.
Theft has been divided into two categories. If the value of the property taken is less than $500, the crime is called Petty TheftBut it is called Grand Theft if it exceeds this amount. Petty Theft has been categorized as misdemeanor while Grand Theft as felony.

The old term of larceny has been merged with theft now. Although robbery (taking by force), burglary (taken by entering unlawfully), and embezzlement (stealing from an employer) are all commonly thought of as theft, they are distinguished by the means and methods used, and are separately designated as those types of crimes in criminal charges and statutory punishments. It also include shoplifting, bicycle theft, or stealing other low value items from a residence when lawfully allowed to be there (otherwise it would be burglary).


Petty theft laws

Rules for theft exist only at the state level in United States, because most thefts are prosecuted by the state where theft occurred. The federal government has made laws on certain categories that directly affect federal agencies or interstate commerce. Though Petty Theft is considered as a crime of “moral turpitude”, it can result in denial of employment, rejection for a professional license, and humiliation among colleagues, neighbors, and friends.

Except for some states, all others have adopted theft in their laws leaving larceny behind. For example, California consolidated a variety of common law crimes into theft in 1927, and now distinguishes between two types of theft, grand theft and petty theft.


Penalties:

Generally all the states have made laws about Petty Theft but they resemble a great extent and can be generalized, as they follow the same guidelines. If the offense is committed first time, a light sentence can be expected. A judge is more likely to give the maximum penalty to someone who didn't learn his or her lesson the first time. Repeat offenders who continue to steal may become subject to life imprisonment in certain states.

Many new offenders can use the opportunity of deferred judgment or diversion where this is an option. This program benefits offenders because it will have the charges dropped under the stipulation that they do not commit another crime in the course of their determined probation period. But they still have to pay court fees and fines, though this offence would not be written in their permanent record. The offenders have to attend and successfully complete correction counseling program in most of the cases. They will also fully restore the item to its real owner.
However, Grand Theft is punishable by up to a year in jail or prison, and can either be seen as a misdemeanor or felony. Petty Theft, on the other hand, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or six months in jail. As for the older crimes of larceny, embezzling, and stealing; any references to them now mean theft instead. In many states, grand theft of a vehicle is charged as grand theft auto.


Need for Attorney:

The first thing that serves best in a Petty Theft Case is to get the services of an experienced Criminal Law Attorney, who is experienced in representing the persons who are accused of Petty Theft.
Experienced Criminal Law Attorneys at Lawyer’s Area can help you to understand charges, to organize defense and to make crucial legal decisions. Early preparation can result into the drop of charges altogether or decrease imprisonment and other penalties.