California · Penal Code

PEN §486: Theft is divided into two degrees, the first of which is termed grand theft; the second, petty theft.

What this law says, in plain English

Theft is categorized into two degrees: grand theft and petty theft. The statute establishes this classification framework without specifying penalties.

Read the full statutory text
Theft is divided into two degrees, the first of which is termed grand theft; the second, petty theft.

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