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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
31 thru 35 of 66 comments
On 05/08/04
Alex from AZ said:
I was caught stealing a 20.99 bottle of vodka what should i do. should i pleed guilty or not guilty. Also if im convicted what sort of punishment should expect?
On 04/20/04
jenny from NY said:
Just got busted lifting a 10 dollar item, i've got a court date. What should i expect from the judge if i'm really cooperative with it, and/or what's the repurcussions of pleading not guilty with no lawyer? does it go on my record? and do the department store have the right to take my picture?
On 04/16/04
Kitty from AZ said:
I am 22 and was caught stealing an item at $10.00. What should I expect when I go to court? Does this go on my record? and is the department has the ringh to took my picture?(the employee asked the police if he needed a picture but he said no.)if they do not have the right to take my picture,can i request it back? Thank you very much!
On 03/31/04
jen from IA said:
What is you buy something from someone and you don't know that it is stolen but you do not have a recipt.
On 03/25/04
John from IN said:
this is bull, me and my buddy got busted for 40 dollars each and not only that, we got jipped too. indiana state law says the store can only detain you until the cops show up or until two hours have passed which ever comes first. the store held us for 2 and a half hours. not only that, my buddy gets charged w/a missdeminor and a 50 dollar fine and some community service. i get charged w/theft and have to go to court, put on probation and even taken out of my house. yea i know stealing is wrong but still, i think thats wrong that we did the same thing and he gets off easier than i do.
31 thru 35 of 66 comments



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