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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
1 thru 5 of 66 comments
On 05/17/09
aidee from AZ said:
I found some money in the hotel room where I work at I was scared to turn it in to my surpervisor because I didn't trusted them so I took home and I turned it in to the deputy sheriff the next day what's the penalty for that purpose.
On 04/26/09
Bryan from MN said:
On July 31, 2008 a friend and myself found a police firearm in a car and he grabbed it and held onto it. He brought it to my apartment and I was arrested for possession. Am I 100% at fault for the theft of the gun? what are the penalties? and is there a severe addition to the charge because it was a police firearm?
On 03/26/09
Chris from GA said:
there are 8 people in a room someone takes a peice of jemelry. later on that night the jewelry is found missing. can all 8 people be charged and what would the charge be?
On 12/01/08
//// from AZ said:
yeah definitely got caught doing a beer run. and now im trippin, i have court coming up.
On 11/15/08
ad from ID said:
TRUST ME, it isn't worth it. I had never stolen before in my life and I just did last night...and wouldn't ya know it, caught. I'm already in trouble for a smoking ticket, so this just adds on. All for 11 dollar freaking earrings. Nobody can trust me now, really. So I'd encourage anyone just to....not do it. Because it won't be worth it, trust me.
1 thru 5 of 66 comments



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