The penalties and sentences for theft can range from the minor to the severe, with a number of factors coming into play. These factors, even if they may appear insignificant, could mean the difference between a small fine or several years in prison and difficulties obtaining jobs in the future.

Categories of Theft Crimes

Offenses involving property valued at less than $1,000 or so are usually treated as misdemeanors. These crimes are commonly referred to as petty or petite larceny. Thefts of more valuable property are referred to as grand larceny and treated as felonies. Besides the value of the property taken, theft crimes are categorized by the type of property taken and the method used by the perpetrator to acquire it.

The most serious theft crimes involve the use or threatened use of force. Most notable among these is the crime of robbery. Some instances of robbery are easy to recognize, such as mugging, bank heists, and carjacking. Other times robbery charges can come as a surprise, especially to those accused of conduct that might seem less serious at first blush. For example, a person apprehended for shoplifting who attempts to flee with the merchandise by physically breaking free of a security guard’s grasp may very well be guilty of robbery.

Another category of theft involves financial crimes, such as embezzlement, insurance fraud, and forgery. Also known as white collar crime, these offenses are often committed by people who hold positions of trust within the business community. Through various forms of dishonest conduct, perpetrators of financial crimes find ways to steal from victims using trickery, rather than force. Some of the largest and most notorious thefts ever carried out fall within this category.