Is shoplifting a felony in all states See full list on criminaldefenselawyer. 002 (9) or to treat medical emergencies. Jul 21, 2025 · Learn about shoplifting laws, penalties by state, real-life cases, and legal defense strategies. Shoplifting property with a value of two thousand dollars or more, shoplifting property during any continuing criminal episode or shoplifting property if done to promote, further or assist any criminal street gang or criminal syndicate is a class 5 felony. In Massachusetts and Nevada, the threshold is $1,200. State law will also dictate whether a shoplifter should be charged with committing a felony theft or petty larceny, which is considered a misdemeanor crime in most states. Currently, 29 states have a felony threshold for Shoplifting/Larceny of over $1,000, with the highest being Wisconsin set at $2,500. Feb 28, 2025 · Georgia's theft laws cover a broad range of offenses, including theft of property or services, extortion, theft by deception, conversion, and shoplifting. In twenty-two states, you will be charged with a felony if you steal more than $1,000 in goods. , $500 or $1,000) that determines whether shoplifting is charged as a misdemeanor or felony. But other factors can also make a theft a felony, regardless of the amount involved, such as the type of property stolen. Law enforcement equipment means any property, device, or apparatus Jan 21, 2024 · California theft law have changed significantly following the coming into force of new rules on shoplifting and petty theft in the state. State laws generally set a monetary cut-off point (a threshold) that distinguishes felonies from misdemeanors. Learn how Georgia classifies and punishes theft offenses. Many States classify shoplifting as a misdemeanor or felony according to the value of the property taken. But in many states, the The Hawaii Retail Council played a key role in blocking that legislation. Intent to steal: To be considered shoplifting, the individual must have intentionally taken the item without intending to pay for it. Felony Theft Amount by State: Confused about felony theft amounts? We break down the varying thresholds across the US, from $200 in New Jersey to $2,500 in Texas and Wisconsin. Sep 25, 2023 · In the past decade, nearly half of all states have increased their felony shoplifting thresholds. H. May 22, 2024 · The penalties for most theft and larceny offenses are based on the value of the property stolen. Ten states have a threshold below $1,000. This article will discuss the common elements of felony theft and the offender commits grand theft in the second degree, punishable as a felony of the second degree, as provided in s. Jul 15, 2025 · The line between misdemeanor and felony theft is determined by more than an item’s value, involving specific state laws and other legal considerations. The report summarizes shoplifting laws for each State. Currently, 38 states do not consider shoplifting a felony unless $1,000 or more of merchandise is Felony Threshold by State The majority of states have a felony theft threshold between $1,000 and 1,500. g. 082, s. Jun 10, 2020 · How inflation makes your state’s criminal justice system harsher today than it was yesterday The case for increasing the monetary level for felony theft. Some states address shoplifting as a separate criminal offense. States may refer to the crime by different names, including retail theft and concealment of merchandise. Oct 21, 2016 · Shoplifting laws, which vary by state, dictate that shoplifting charges can range from an infraction, to a felony. Discover how ESPLawyers can help protect your rights after a shoplifting charge. com The greatest variation in the shoplifting laws appears in the area of punishments for those convicted of shoplifting. . Fines and maximum sentences also vary greatly from State to State. This article looks at the criminal offense of shoplifting. Felony thresholds commonly range from $500 to $2,500, with many states setting it between $1,000 and $1,500. Jan 23, 2025 · Key Elements of Shoplifting Laws: Value of stolen goods: Many states set a threshold amount (e. Apr 9, 2025 · (6) If the property stolen is any dangerous drug, a violation of this section is theft of drugs, a felony of the fourth degree, or, if the offender previously has been convicted of a felony drug abuse offense, a felony of the third degree. 775. 395. Supporters of their increase say that the law was set at $100 in 1906. As of 2025, these thresholds vary widely across states, reflecting efforts to balance fairness, inflation adjustments, and public safety. Ten more states, Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and Utah, set their threshold at $1,500. Emergency medical equipment means mechanical or electronic apparatus used to provide emergency services and care as defined in s. 083, or s. Some states charge anyone accused of shoplifting with at least a misdemeanor. 084. Find information on: Apr 23, 2025 · Felony Theft Amount by State 2025 Felony theft thresholds determine the minimum value of stolen goods that escalate theft from a misdemeanor to a felony. Oct 2, 2023 · Most states punish shoplifting under their general larceny or theft statutes. In today's dollars that translates to about $2,400. Feb 11, 2022 · This means that each state has adopted its own criminal statute that prescribes different criminal consequences for persons who are convicted on shoplifting charges. Aug 31, 2025 · Felony Shoplifting Shoplifting escalates to a felony offense when the value of the stolen goods exceeds a higher state-defined threshold or when aggravating circumstances are present. by Tiana Herring, June 10, 2020 Each state sets a statutory definition of which thefts are felonies (punishable by longer sentences in prison) and which are misdemeanors (punishable by shorter sentences in jail). yqaco nbijz cstmcbkv muoqh yejsp xyz avly vzbt tbewtar ukeazs jzdh rhf ymqnlm nnik idcfk