Speak Up! - View Question #395

« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #395

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
56 thru 60 of 66 comments
On 03/05/03
Chris from CA said:
i just got caught on stealing $16 batting gloves, do u know if i might have to go to juvenile hall,
On 02/25/03
Andrew P. from AZ said:
Man, someone ditched a bike in my friends yeard. I thought they abandoned it, so I took it home. A month later the cops showed up and arrested me. Now I'm in trouble because I thought I found something. I'm still waiting for my court date. Think twice about anything you ever take that isnt yours.
On 01/22/03
Jessica B from VA said:
iM A YOUNG WOMAN MY SELF. I STOLE MY MOMS CAR WHEN I WAS 15. I JUST THOUGHT I WAS BORROWING IT CAUSE IT WAS ABOUT TO BE MINE ANY WAYS. bUT I CAME HOME AND MY MOM AND THE POLICE WERE WAITING FOR ME WHEN I GOT HOME AND IT WAS NOT FUN.i now have a probation officer cause my parents think i need more supper vision. dont ever take the car wit out askin.Its not worth it at all. i almost couldent get my licenses till i was 21. ~*ONE*~
On 01/12/03
Stella from NC said:
Trust me, it isn't worth it. I had been shoplifting for about 1 1/2 years, but then I got caught shoplifting a 13 dollar item, so I stopped doing it. I haven't recieved my court date yet, and I know that it's not going to be worth the consequences. It has also created a lot of problems between my parents and I, because now they don't trust me. If you keep shoplifting, eventually you will get caught. I have a friend that is a cleptomaniac and I'm trying to get her to stop. Even though you do get free stuff it's not worth paying the consequences in the end.
On 10/14/02
Jay from MI said:
Hey stealing is an addiction I had, I was very good at it but i stopped before it was too late. Ive stolen over $10,000 from schools and around $5000 worth of merchandise from a chain of stores in 3 weeks. I was very good I would go with friends and hit different shifts. First hit all the shifts at every store and that would take 12 hours, we got mad stuff. All I ended up doing was giving everything i had out for free because I didn't want it in the first place. Sure its fun to steal and have free stuff but its also not as luxurious as it may sound. My friend is still stealing and he
56 thru 60 of 66 comments



Read more about the law and Other
Related Stories
Related Laws
« LawForKids.org home page | « Go back to speak up question #395