petty theft
Small-scale larceny charge
Petty theft is stealing property of relatively low value—typically below a threshold set by law, often a few hundred dollars.
The distinction from grand theft determines whether the crime is charged as a misdemeanor or felony: She was arrested for petty theft after shoplifting cosmetics.
Also called petty larceny.
Slang for shoplifting
- boostingIncreasing force or level
- liftingRaising something heavy
- swipingTaking something swiftly
- pinchingSqueezing tightly between fingers
nicking · filching · pocketing · sticky fingers · palming · heisting · copping
Stealing store merchandise
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- pilferageMinor theft of goods
- fare evasionNot paying transit cost
- dine-and-dashEating without paying
Irresistible impulse to steal
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- opportunismExploiting circumstances for gain
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
- juvenile delinquencyCriminal acts by minors
shoplifter · repeat offender · first offense · temptation · concealment
Lesser criminal charge
- larcenyUnlawful taking of goods
- citationMention of a source
- fineAcceptable in quality
- probationSupervised trial period
restitution · arraignment · plea bargain · diversion program · community service · criminal record · booking · summons
five-finger discount
Slang for shoplifting
pinching · nicking · filching · pocketing · sticky fingers · palming · heisting · copping
shoplifting
Stealing store merchandise
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- pilferageMinor theft of goods
- fare evasionNot paying transit cost
kleptomania
Irresistible impulse to steal
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- opportunismExploiting circumstances for gain
- recidivismHabitual return to crime
juvenile delinquency · shoplifter · repeat offender · first offense · temptation · concealment
misdemeanor
Lesser criminal charge
probation · restitution · arraignment · plea bargain · diversion program · community service · criminal record · booking · summons · court appearance
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- theftstealing, larceny, steal, burglary, robbery
- criminal chargesarson, burglary, homicide, kidnapping, robbery
- juvenile crimetruancy, vandalism, shoplifting, joyriding, underage drinking
- misdemeanorsmisdemeanor, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, shoplifting, loitering
- street crimesmugging, pickpocketing, robbery, purse snatching, carjacking
petty theftgrand larceny
Theft exceeding statutory amount
grand theft · armed robbery · bank robbery · burglary · robbery
petty theftfair trade
Equitable exchange between parties
gift · donation · earning · gift-giving · inheritance
thief, petty, theft, thieves, thieving, thievery, pettiness, thievish, pettiest