Theft Statute Changes January 1, 2017

So... Most people don't realize this... but January 1 the legislature put into effect the new grading of theft in Tennessee.   It used to be that theft of 500 dollars or more was a felony.  Now....they have raised that threshold to $1000.  So anything UNDER $1000 is a misdemeanor now.

Here is how the grading looks in the statute.

(a)  Theft of property or services is:

• (1)  A Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property or services obtained is one thousand ($1,000) or less;

• (2)  A Class E felony if the value of the property or services obtained is more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) but less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500);

• (3)  A Class D felony if the value of the property or services obtained is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or more but less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000);

• (4)  A Class C felony if the value of the property or services obtained is ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or more but less than sixty thousand dollars ($60,000);

• (5)  A Class B felony if the value of the property or services obtained is sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) or more but less than two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000); and

• (6)  A Class A felony if the value of the property or services obtained is two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) or more.

Just remember... the law changes frequently. Call David Ridings, Nashville's Criminal Defense Lawyer, if you need help on a criminal charge.