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Petty theft is considered a minor offense, but keep in mind, it is still theft and punishable by law. It can be a permanent mark on your record and may cost you further down the line in many different ways.  The first thing to do when charged with petty theft is to not say a word to the arresting agencies and contact Nationwide Legal Help for experienced petty theft attorney.

Examples of Petty Theft

These include shoplifting, bicycle theft, or stealing other "minor" items from a residence when lawfully allowed to be there (otherwise it would be burglary).

Petty theft is classified as theft of an item or items with a total monetary value under the amount of $500. Anything more than $500 is considered grand theft, in which case the charges will be significantly more serious.

First Offense vs. Repeat Offense

While every state has different laws regarding petty theft, they all come close to the same guidelines.

A first offense is always going to be treated more lightly than someone who is a repeat offender, whether it is petty theft or not. A judge is more likely to give the maximum penalty to someone who didn't learn his or her lesson the first time.

First Offense Options