Grand theft

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Grand theft or grand larceny is a category used to rank the severity of crime associated with theft.

Generally, in the United States it is defined as intentional taking property of others in an amount exceeding the state statutory amount.[1]

Grand theft occurs when an action that occurred meets the criteria for the applicable jurisdiction.

Grand theft by state[edit]

In the United States, a theft is determined felony grand theft instead of misdemeanor petty theft by the dollar amount of what was stolen. The dollar amount for grand theft varies from state to state. Depending on the circumstances, some states classify an incident as felony grand theft, even though the dollar amount that was stolen is less than the specified felony grand theft dollar amount. The current felony grand theft dollar amount for each state can be viewed on Stolen Lost Found Online. [2]


The Alaska State Code does not use the terms "grand theft" or "grand larceny." However, it specifies that theft of property valued at more than $500 is a felony whereas thefts of lesser amounts are misdemeanors. The felony categories (class 1 and class 2 theft) also include theft of firearms; property taken from the person of another; vessel or aircraft safety or survival equipment; and access devices.[3]


Felony theft is committed when the value of the stolen property exceeds $1000. Regardless of the value of the item, if it is a firearm or an animal taken for the purpose of animal fighting, then the theft is a Class 6 Felony.[4]


Grand theft is committed when the value of stolen property exceeds $950. Theft is also considered grand theft when more than $250 in crops or marine life-forms are stolen, “when the poperty is taken from the person of another,” or when the property stolen is an automobile, farm animal, or firearm.[5] There are a number of criminal statutes in the California Penal Code defining grand theft in different amounts. Most common amount is $950.


"In general, any property taken that carries a value of more than $300 can be considered grand theft in certain circumstances..."[6]


Theft in the first or second degree is a felony. Theft in the first degree means theft above $20,000 or of a firearm or explosive; or theft over $300 during a declared emergency. Theft in the second degree means theft above $300, theft from the person of another, or agricultural products over $100 or aquacultural products from an enclosed property.[7]


Theft is a felony if the value of the property exceeds $3300 or the property is stolen from the person of another. Thresholds at $10,000, $100,000, and $500,000 determine how severe the punishment can be. The location from which property was stolen is also a factor in sentencing.[8]


Value of stolen property is greater than $250.[9]


Stealing is a felony if the value of stolen property exceeds $500. It is also a felony if “The actor physically takes the property appropriated from the person of the victim” or the stolen property is a vehicle, legal document, credit card, firearm, explosive, U.S. flag on display, livestock animal, fish with value exceeding $75, captive wildlife, controlled substance, or ammonia.[10] Stealing in excess of $25,000 is usually a class B felony (sentence: 5–15 years),[11] while any other felony stealing (not including the felonies of burglary or robbery) that does not involve chemicals is a class C felony (sentence: up to 7 years). Non-felony stealing is a class A misdemeanor (sentence: up to 1 year).

New York[edit]



Value of stolen property exceeds $500.[13] Grand theft is typically considered a felony, especially if a weapon was used to commit the crime.


Grand Larceny: Value of goods exceed $900 (13 V.S.A. § 2501)


Grand Larceny: Value of goods exceed $200 (Virginia Code § 18.2-95)

Washington State[edit]

Theft of goods valued between $750 and $5000 is second-degree theft, a Class C felony.[14] Theft of goods valued above $5000, of a search-and-rescue dog on duty, of public records from a public office or official, of metal wire from a utility, or of an access device, is a Class B felony,[15] as is theft of a motor vehicle [16] or a firearm.[17]

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Cornell University Law School Law Information Institute, accessed February 2010
  2. ^ "Grand Theft". Stolen Lost Found Online. Stolen Lost Found. Retrieved 8 April 2012. 
  3. ^ "Alaska Statutes: AS 11.46.130. Theft in the Second Degree". Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  4. ^ Arizona Legislative Code
  5. ^ Section 487 at
  6. ^ "Florida Theft Laws: Grand or Petit Theft, Shoplifting, Dealing Stolen Property". 2007-04-04. Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  7. ^ "Hawaii Theft Laws". Offender Solutions. Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  8. ^ "Illinois Theft & Shoplifting Laws - IL Theft Penalties - Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer | Illinois Criminal Defense Lawyer". Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  9. ^ Law offices of Stephen Neyman, accessed January 2011
  10. ^ "Section 570-030 Stealing-penalties". Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  11. ^ "Section 558-011 Sentence of imprisonment, terms-condit". 2013-08-28. Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  12. ^ "Article 155 - New York State Penal Law Code - Larceny". 2014-01-20. Retrieved 2014-02-15. 
  13. ^ D'Amore Law Firm, accessed May, 2011
  14. ^ RCW 9A.56.040
  15. ^ RCW 9A.56.030
  16. ^ RCW 9A.56.065
  17. ^ RCW 9A.56.300