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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
41 thru 45 of 66 comments
On 09/07/03
Miller Mcgogonal from AZ said:
Just got busted lifting a 30 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?
On 08/24/03
Jessie from MD said:
He shouldn't be able to send you to jail for giving a prize away without winning it unless it is in the contract you signed, so you'd be able to sue him for it. I suggest you fing out everything about what you can do to save yourself, and take him to court then he'll be in jail instead of you.
On 08/21/03
Gary from Othe said:
I worked for a carnival for a couple of days and some girls came and asked for a prize and i gave it to them and i even took the money from them, but the manager saw me and he says that he's gonna press charges and make me go to jail for giving the prize away without them winning it. Is that even a crime that i did???????? I don't understand. Am i really going to jail for 6 months and charged $2,500. I'm so scared right now.
On 08/19/03
Neena from AZ said:
I am 18 years old, i stole $229 worth of goods from a department store. I was wondering if there is a chance of me going to jail or prison.
On 08/13/03
Kara from IA said:
I was arrested for shoplifting at a grocery store. I stole $2.00 worth of stuff. I received a citation and had to pay a fine. How long will this be on my record?
41 thru 45 of 66 comments



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