Legal Definitions - grand theft

Grand theft is a serious criminal offense involving the unlawful taking of someone else's property with the intent to permanently keep it from the owner. It is considered a more severe form of theft than "petit theft" (or "petty larceny"), which typically involves property of lesser value.

The distinction between grand theft and petit theft is primarily determined by:

• The value of the property stolen: Most states set a specific monetary threshold (often ranging from $1,000 to $5,000). If the value of the stolen property exceeds this amount, the crime is typically classified as grand theft.
• The type of property stolen: In some jurisdictions, the theft of certain specific items, such as vehicles, firearms, or certain controlled substances, can be classified as grand theft regardless of their monetary value.

The exact definitions, value thresholds, and specific types of property that qualify for grand theft vary significantly from state to state. In some cases, multiple items stolen from the same victim or location as part of a single criminal act can have their values combined to meet the grand theft threshold.

Here are some examples illustrating grand theft:

• Example 1: High-Value Merchandise

  A person enters a jewelry store, smashes a display case, and quickly grabs several expensive diamond necklaces and watches before fleeing. The total retail value of the stolen jewelry is estimated to be $25,000.

  This illustrates grand theft because the combined value of the stolen items significantly exceeds the typical monetary threshold set by states for this offense. The act was unlawful, and the intent was to permanently deprive the store of its valuable merchandise.

• Example 2: Specialized Equipment Theft

  An individual breaks into a construction yard overnight and hot-wires a forklift, driving it away to sell for scrap metal. Even if the forklift is an older model and its immediate resale value might be near the lower end of a state's grand theft threshold, many jurisdictions specifically classify the theft of motor vehicles or heavy machinery as grand theft due to their nature and potential impact.

  This demonstrates grand theft because the stolen item is a type of vehicle or specialized equipment that is often designated as grand theft property by law, regardless of its precise market value. The act was unlawful, and the intent was to permanently take the equipment.

• Example 3: Cumulative Theft from a Single Source

  An office manager, over a period of six months, systematically diverts small amounts of office supplies, such as high-end printer cartridges, expensive ergonomic keyboards, and specialized software licenses, from their employer's inventory. While each individual item might be below the grand theft threshold, the cumulative value of all the property stolen as part of this ongoing scheme totals $4,000.

  This example shows grand theft because, in many jurisdictions, when property is stolen from the same victim or location as part of a continuous plan, the total value of all items can be combined to meet the grand theft threshold. The manager unlawfully took property with the intent to permanently deprive the company of its assets.