THEFT CRIMES

Petty theft, also known as petit theft, is the crime of stealing property valued less than $300 dollars that does not belong to you. Once the value of the stolen items exceeds $300, the theft crime is then classified as a felony charge of grand theft. These crimes are commonly associated with shoplifting because they involve lower-dollar items. Petty theft is more of a default charge for all those crimes of property that do not fall under the category of grand theft. It is sometimes referred to as “petit theft” because the crime involves stealing a small amount. In order for the state prosecutor to convict you of petty theft, they must prove that you stole goods with the intention of depriving the other person of their right to or benefit of the property. They must also prove that you took the property for your own personal use, or for the use of another who was not titled to that property. At Parks & Braxton, PA, we are familiar with the various defenses that can be erected on your behalf to help you avoid charges of this nature. A defense against this charge that we could use is fighting to prove that you were in equal ownership of the property or fighting to say that the property had no monetary value to begin with.