Is it true you can't go to jail if you steal something under $20?

Citicop

No. You can go to jail for stealing ANYTHING, of any value at all.

rogueriverbob

there was a guy in California who stole 2 pieces of pizza, he got 25 years,.....

CAT^

You will be arrested for any theft. Monetary limits only differentiate between misdemeanor and felony.

italienne

It's usually a misdemeanor. But who wants to pay a $100 fine on a $20 item.

whip

i never knew there had to be a monetary value to be a thief.

Steven C

Wrong you can go to jail if you steal a 25 cent pack of gum.

NO! And it depends of the DA, State and your attorney.

babraves11

you are confusing civil law with criminal law. It is true that a person cannot sue you for less than $20. But you will still go to a criminal trial. So if u steal something under $20 the store cannot sue you in a civil court but you will still get charged with theft. the judge will probably order you to pay restitution anyways so the civil suit would be pretty much pointless

ÙÙ„Ø³Ø·ÙŠÙ† Ø§Ù„ØØ±Ø©

u can go to jail for stealing 59 cents

I did after watching a home alone 2 movie and did the same thing at Christmas, I put tape on my hand, and I put my had in the bucket and the police saw me

CHARLES R

NO FREE PASSES.
ITS CALLED PETTY THEFT.

Annie

I'm afraid so. It depends on where you are, where and what you stole, and your criminal past. If you did it for the first time, you're probably only going to get probation and a fine.

TURANDOT

The General Statures and Regulations in your state define the types of larceny, etc. And a judge issues corresponding consequences

The reason why stealing a Twix bar may not land you in jail is that the stores will not spend time paying minimu wage to an employee making a statement to a copper and going through the whole procedure to recover a buck in losses

sunny

yes
3 yrs for pack of gum with priers

riordanjsca

you will have to pay a fine and the charge will always be on your record.Is it worth all that?

Kathleen312

stealing is stealing, period, yes, you could go to jail

smithp

NO. And stop stealing.

Litz

Well, I cant imagine someone going to jail for stealing something small like a candy bar or a can of tuna. hahaha

sensible_man

It's not "true" but unlikely. Depends on your past criminal history and if you are on probation at the time. Most jails are so crowded that it is in everyones best interest to fine you and perhaps put you on probation.

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