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Question: What are the penalties for theft?

Answer: Arizona law (Chapter 18 of Title 13 of the Arizona Revised Statutes 13-1801 through 13-1818) provides different penalties for theft, depending on the amount that was stolen and, in some cases, what was taken.The penalties for theft of property, money, or services is as follows:

1. Theft of less than $250.00 is a Class 1 Misdemeanor for which a person can receive a maximum of six months in jail, $2,500.00 fine and probation.

2. Theft of property of a value of $250.00 but less than $1,000.00 is a Class 6 Felony for which a person can be sent to prison for up to two years or put on probation and put in the county jail for up to one year. The maximum fine is $150,000.00.

3. Theft of property of a value of $1,000.00 to $2,000.00 is a Class 5 Felony for which a person can be sent to prison for a maximum of two-and-a-half years or put on probation and sent to the county jail for a maximum of one year. The maximum fine is $150,000.00.

4. Theft of property of a value of $2,000.00 but less than $3,000.00 is a Class 4 Felony for which a person can be sent to prison for a maximum of 3.75 years or put on probation and sent to the county jail for a maximum of one year. The maximum fine is $150,000.00.

5. Theft of property of a value between $3,000.00 and $25,000.00 is a Class 3 Felony for which a person can be sent to prison for a maximum of 8.75 years or put on probation and sent to the county jail for a maximum of one year. The maximum fine is $150,000.00.

6. Theft of property of a value over $25,000.00 is a Class 2 Felony for which a person can be sent to prison for a maximum of 12.5 years or put on probation and sent to the county jail for a maximum of one year. The maximum fine is $150,000.00.

Theft of any gun is a Class 6 Felony, even if the value of the gun was less than $250.00.

Shoplifting is a form of theft in which something is stolen from a store. It is not necessary to actually leave the store in order to be convicted of shoplifting. Shoplifting can occur by switching price tags, transferring goods from one container to another, or hiding the goods, even though the person never actually ever leaves the store.

Like theft, shoplifting property valued at $250.00 or less is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, unless it is a gun, in which case it is treated as a Class 6 Felony. Shoplifting of a value over $250.00 but under $2,500.00 is a Class 6 Felony. Shoplifting of a value over $2,500.00 is a Class 5 Felony.

In addition to the criminal penalties, Arizona law allows the store owner to collect the value of the goods that were stolen, plus $100.00, from the parent of any minor who is caught shoplifting.

*The answer does not include related charges such as robbery, credit card fraud, white collar crimes, consumer fraud or similar crimes which have a theft element to them.


Comments
51 thru 55 of 66 comments
On 04/17/03
Carmella from NJ said:
I was caught stealing money from the registar at my work and i also used another assoicates number to do a return to my charge card without bringing in the items.a value toatling 361.36.I am 18 and was wondering what will happen to me.
On 03/25/03
chris from CA said:
today i found out i dont even have to go to court, all i have to do is got to two classes that are four hours, much better than what i thought, but i dont know if i'll get suspended at school?
On 03/21/03
Jodie from PA said:
My sister has always been one to take things from people, especially me. This has gone on for many, many years. Just recently I had surgery, I was given oxycontin for pain. I quit taking them since they are addicting, but my sister stole some of them. This is the last straw for me. She needs to be stoped, but I don't know how to do it. She has a 4 year old son who whould be taken from her if I called the police. I don't know what to do anymore, can anyone help me out?
On 03/12/03
Eli from MA said:
well i got one thing to say "embaresment."
On 03/10/03
Charlene from Othe said:
I was caught for shoplifting not that long ago, I on this site because I have to do a report on shoplifting for my officer, I have to write a letter saying sorry and a report on shoplifting. I would be rather spending my march break with my friends then having do do this report. IT WAS SO NOT WORTH IT!
51 thru 55 of 66 comments



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