Petit Theft is misdemeanor and a conviction can carry a sentence of up to $1000 in fines and up to one year in the county jail (See Punishments: Idaho Code §18-2408). Petty theft is considered a “crime of moral turpitude” and can prevent you from obtaining professional licenses and certifications.

All Grand Theft charges are felonies and can lead to severe penalties. Under Idaho Code §18-2408 Grand Theft is punishable by a fine of $5000 and up to 14 years in the state penitentiary.

Gaining employment and passing background checks are automatically more difficult if you have been convicted of felony theft. State jail felony – If the theft amounts to between $1,500 and $20,000 it is considered a state jail felony. You may face as much as 2 years of imprisonment or up to $10,000 in fines.

Criminal Penalties for Shoplifting or Retail Theft If the merchandise is worth $1,000 or more, a shoplifter faces felony penalties for grand theft. A second offense in five years constitutes a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $1,000 fine. (Idaho Code § 18-2411 (2020).)

Grand theft possession means that the person is in possession of articles that were stolen having a value over a certain amount of money, $500 or so. The crime charged is a serious one.

Laws in many states consider a theft to be grand theft when: The property taken is worth more than a minimum amount, perhaps $500-$1,000 or more. Property is taken directly from a person, but by means other than force or fear.

In a typical grand theft case, these might include asserting the position that:

1. You did not intend to steal,
2. The allegedly stolen property actually belonged to you,
3. The person who owned the item consented to you taking it, and/or.
4. You were falsely accused.

What is the difference between grand theft and petty theft under California law? Petty theft is when someone unlawfully takes less than $950 of cash or goods from someone else. When the stolen property is worth $950 or more, it becomes grand theft.

A theft offense does not have to ruin your life or damage your future. Often with skilled representation you may be able to avoid the impacts of a conviction even where the defenses are weak through diversion programs or other mitigating factors. You should always retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer .

Although the store could drop petty theft charges, Walmart doesn’t budge. Most people, especially first-time offenders, are then sentenced to probation and have to pay fines. However, you can go to jail up to a year for petty theft.

Originally Answered: How does Walmart know if you stole from them when they have such lax security? They track inventory. And then they periodically perform an an inventory count, and any discrepancy is noted.