Georgia Theft Charges
Georgia's theft offenses include theft by taking (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2), theft by deception, conversion, and others, all graded by the value of what was taken (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-12). Theft of $1,500 or less is generally a misdemeanor; above $1,500 it's a felony, with the range rising as the value increases. Confirm the current dollar tiers against the statute.
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice. Dollar thresholds are amendment-prone — confirm the current tiers against the statute and talk to a Georgia attorney.
Georgia consolidates many property crimes — taking, deception, conversion, services — and grades them by the value of what was taken.
The offenses
Georgia’s theft statutes include:
- Theft by taking (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2) — unlawfully taking property with intent to deprive the owner;
- Theft by deception (§ 16-8-3), theft by conversion (§ 16-8-4), and theft of services (§ 16-8-5); and others.
The penalty for these is set by a single grading statute.
Graded by value
How serious the charge is depends on the value of the property (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-12). The general tiers:
| Value of property | Offense class |
|---|---|
| $1,500 or less | Misdemeanor |
| More than $1,500 – $5,000 | Felony, 1–5 years (court may treat as misdemeanor) |
| More than $5,000 – $25,000 | Felony, 1–10 years |
| More than $25,000 | Felony, 2–20 years |
Because these dollar tiers and ranges are exactly the kind of figures that get amended, confirm the current thresholds in § 16-8-12 before relying on them. Some property offenses (certain shoplifting or specific property types) also have their own grading rules.
After a case resolves, some records may be eligible for record restriction — ask a local attorney. To get matched with a local Georgia theft-defense attorney, connect with a lawyer.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- When does theft become a felony in Georgia?
- Generally when the value exceeds $1,500. Theft of $1,500 or less is a misdemeanor; more than $1,500 up to $5,000 is a felony (1–5 years), with higher ranges above that (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-12). Confirm the current thresholds against the statute.
- What counts as theft in Georgia?
- Georgia has several theft offenses — theft by taking (O.C.G.A. § 16-8-2), theft by deception (§ 16-8-3), theft by conversion (§ 16-8-4), theft of services (§ 16-8-5), and others. The grading statute (§ 16-8-12) sets the penalties based on value.
- Did Georgia change its theft thresholds?
- Georgia raised the misdemeanor/felony line in past reforms. Because dollar tiers are amendment-prone, always confirm the current numbers in O.C.G.A. § 16-8-12 before relying on them.
Sources
Related guides
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- Georgia Drug Charges Georgia's Controlled Substances Act (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30) grades drug offenses by the substance's schedule and what you did with it — possession vs. possession with intent vs. trafficking. Marijuana possession of one ounce or less is a misdemeanor; more is a felony. Trafficking (§ 16-13-31) carries weight-based mandatory minimums — confirm current weights and penalties.
- Georgia DUI Charges Georgia DUI law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391) makes it illegal to drive while impaired or with a BAC of 0.08% or more — 0.04% for commercial drivers and 0.02% for drivers under 21. Implied consent means refusing a state test can suspend your license, though a breath-test refusal can't be used against you at trial (Elliott v. State, 2019). A 4th DUI within 10 years is a felony — confirm current penalties.
- The Georgia Criminal Case Process A Georgia criminal case generally moves from arrest and first appearance, to bond, through the tiered courts: Magistrate Court for warrants and preliminary matters, State Court for misdemeanors, and Superior Court for felony trials. Felonies usually require a grand jury indictment. Misdemeanors carry up to 12 months; felonies carry more than a year (O.C.G.A. § 17-10-3).