The different levels of theft are grand theft, petty theft, burglary, larceny, embezzlement, looting, robbery, or shoplifting.
Some theft charges are more serious than others.
Petty Theft charges do show on your criminal record if you're convicted of the petty theft.
The petty theft charge conviction will go on your record whether you did a guilty plea or had a guilty verdict from a jury,
The petty theft charges may prevent you from getting hired on some jobs.
The difference between petty theft and grand theft is that petty theft is when you steal something that is valued at less than $1,000.00
Grand Theft is when you steal something higher in value than $1,000.00 and is a more serious crime although you could get a grand theft auto charge when you steal even a cheaper vehicle valued at less than $1,000.00
The Grand Theft in law is a more severe offense of stealing property, money or an item of higher monetary value and is considered a minor felony in many states.
When it comes to what qualifies as petty theft the petty theft is when someone is charged with stealing something that is valued at less than $1,000.00
If you steal something that is valued at $1,000.00 or more then it becomes felony theft which is punishable by fines and prison time.
You can go to jail for stealing anything if caught and charged.
But if you steal something that is less than $20.00 in value then you likely will just get a notice to appear for theft and not get arrested.
However if you steal something more higher in value or it's your second offense then you will usually get arrested and then be in jail for awhile until you bail out and see a judge.
Then you may get a year in jail or longer depending on the amount you stole.
Petty Theft is a less serious theft charge because petty theft is a misdemeanor and can be punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or up to a $1,000.00 fine.
Most times though when it's your first offense and if the theft was a small amount then you may get off with just a fine or community service.
Or you may get sentenced to 30 days in jail or even up to a year in jail.
If you have more theft charges or other criminal history then you may get the automatic year in jail.
Petty theft can be dismissed if there's not enough evidence to charge and convict you of the theft.
Most petty theft charges are just a fine and an maybe a few months or so in jail.
Petty Theft is not as serious as other theft such as felony theft though.
You cannot normally be convicted of theft or a crime without evidence to prove you stole the item they are accusing you of.
However it's pretty easy to have evidence that you stole something if you shoplifted etc as most places have cameras and a camera is enough evidence to see you stole and then they can easily charge you and convict you of theft.
But just someone saying you stole the item is not enough for conviction.
You can still be charged with theft even when you return the item you stole.
Although you returned the item you stole which is good you still did steal the item you returned so you can still be prosecuted and charged with theft.
Returning the stolen item or merchandise or whatever you stole does not get you off on the theft charge unless the person or whoever you stole the stuff from decides to drop the charges.
Returning the item you stole does show good on your part though and can help you in court.
Returning the stolen item can help you negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors.
But returning the item does not serve as a defense in court for stealing the item in the first place.
The best thing to do however is not steal anything to begin with.