Theft Grand Petty Items Stealing Eslpod Defined Shoplifting

Theft is always a crime, but there are "degrees" (different levels of seriousness) of theft. The worst instances of theft are called "grand theft" or "grand larceny." Although laws "vary by state" (different states have different laws), grand theft is very serious and usually results in "harsh" (severe; strong) punishments. Grand theft is defined by its "magnitude" (size) and specifically the value of the items that have been stolen. The "threshold" (limit between two categories) for grand theft is usually around $400 or $500. Theft of automobiles is often referred to as "grand theft auto," which is also the name of a popular video game series.

"Petty theft" refers to theft of items whose value is below the threshold in a particular state. Technically, "shoplifting" is the same as "petty theft," but in everyday language, people sometimes use the word "shoplifting" to describe petty theft when the value of the items is less than $50. For example, stealing a loaf of bread would be described as petty theft. Stealing small electronics would be described as petty theft. And stealing "luxury" (very nice and expensive) jewelry would be defined as grand theft.

In most states, grand theft is "treated as" (considered) a "felony" (a serious crime with harsh punishments, such as "imprisonment" (time spent in jail)) "whereas" (while at the same time and in contrast), petty theft is treated as a "misdemeanor" (a less serious crime with "lighter" (not as harsh) punishments, such as a "fine" (money that must be paid as a punishment)).