Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Petty theft is when someone takes something that doesn't belong to them, like a small amount of money or something that isn't worth a lot. It's usually not a very serious crime and is considered a misdemeanor. There are other types of theft, like stealing by tricking someone or using threats, but petty theft is the most common.
Petty theft is a type of theft where a small amount of money or low-value goods or services are stolen. It is usually considered a misdemeanor offense.
For example, if someone steals a candy bar from a convenience store, that would be considered petty theft. Another example would be taking a small amount of money from someone's wallet without their permission.
These examples illustrate the definition of petty theft because they involve the theft of a small amount of money or low-value goods, which is the characteristic of this type of theft. Additionally, they are considered minor offenses, which is why they are usually classified as misdemeanors.