Theft happens when the property of one person is taken by another without the owner’s consent or permission. It can be theft from a building, home, goods and services that were not paid for, embezzlement of funds, etc.
How much is the bond for theft? The bond amount depends on the severity and type of the crime, the circumstances under which it was committed and the criminal history of the offender.
Types of Theft Crimes
In various states, theft is punishable with different fines, or even a county jail if the individual committed a higher-degree crime. The quickest and safest way to go get out of county jail is to post bail or contact a bail bond agent who will post bond on your behalf. The theft charges will vary according to the state’s law. In California for instance, there are several types of theft punishable by law:
- Theft by false pretenses.
- Petty theft.
- Theft by embezzlement.
- Burglary.
- Grand theft.
- Mail theft.
The punishment for theft depends on whether it’s classified as a misdemeanor or a felony, the item that was stolen, the value of the stolen property, and the severity of the crime.
Grand Theft
- In California, it involves the theft of property worth more than $950; It can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the additional circumstances under which it was committed.
- The stolen items can be farm or agricultural products, firearms, a car, etc.
Burglary
- Invasion of a person’s home without committing violence.
Petty Theft
- It’s often referred to as shoplifting and happens when a person steals an item worth less than $500.
Aggravated Theft
- If the stolen item’s value ranges between $150,000 and $750,000.
If the individual has prior convictions regarding petty theft, the state might pursue further offenses which may result in a first-degree misdemeanor.
Bail and Fines for Theft Crimes
The total bail amount and the corresponding bond amount for the theft crime is based on the types of theft.
- Felony theft is punishable with a fine anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000+ based on the value of the property that was stolen.
- The total bail amount for shoplifting or petty theft varies from $20,000 and more if the value of the stolen property was more than $20,000,
- Burglary is punishable with up to 4 years in state prison since it’s categorized as 1st degree felony.
- If the individual has two or more prior convictions for petty theft, the state might charge an additional offense that can result in a 3rd-degree felony and a punishment of up to 5 years of imprisonment or $5,000 in fines.
- 2nd-degree felony is punishable by up to 15 years in jail or up to $10,000 in fines.
- If the defendant has a prior grand theft charge and the crime results in a 1st-degree felony, the fines can go up to $10,000 or up to 30 years in prison.
Contact a Bail Bond Agent
To determine the amount you will need to pay a bail bondsman to post bond on your behalf, you can use our bail bond calculator for theft. Additionally, use our online platform to find a bail bond agent near you that can post bond your behalf.
If you have been charged with grand theft, make sure to contact a bail bond agent to post bond on your behalf and help you get out of jail and get back home safely. The bail bond agent will post the bond on your behalf for a nonrefundable fee that is equal to 10% of the total bail amount.