Theft is a serious crime that involves unlawfully taking or using property that belongs to another person. If you have been arrested for theft, you have either been charged with petty theft or grand theft. Under these two main categories, there are many different types of theft, including embezzlement, fraud, shoplifting, and robbery.
Petty theft in Tennessee is considered theft of property or services that are valued at $500 or less. Theft, in this case, is taking an item without the owner’s consent and having the intent of depriving the owner of the property. Petty theft tends to be charged as a Class A misdemeanor in Tennessee, which is punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.
If the theft offense involved property with valued above $500, it is usually charged as a felony. These crimes are often classified as grand theft and can hold severe penalties. A Class E felony can come from theft of property between $500 and $1,000 and is punishable by between 1 and 6 years in jail and a fine of up to $3,000. A Class D felony can be charged for a theft offense involving property which is valued between $1,000 and $10,000. This level of offense is punishable by between 2 and 12 years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $5,000. If the property is valued between $10,000 and $60,000, the offense can be charged as a Class C felony. This felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and between 3 and 15 years in prison. If the property has a value over $60,000, the offense could be charged as a Class B felony, which is punishable by between 8 and 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Do you need a lawyer who can defend you against theft charges? While many think theft charges are minor offenses, theft convictions can damage your reputation, limit your future employment opportunities, and could make life more difficult.