California · Penal Code

PEN §490.2: (a) Notwithstanding Section 487 or any other provision of law defining grand theft, obtaining any property by theft where the value of the money, labor, real or personal property taken does not exceed

Misdemeanor

What this law says, in plain English

Theft of property valued at $950 or less is petty theft, punished as a misdemeanor. Exception: prior serious convictions may result in enhanced punishment. Does not apply to firearm theft.

Read the full statutory text
(a) Notwithstanding Section 487 or any other provision of law defining grand theft, obtaining any property by theft where the value of the money, labor, real or personal property taken does not exceed nine hundred fifty dollars ($950) shall be considered petty theft and shall be punished as a misdemeanor, except that such person may instead be punished pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 if that person has one or more prior convictions for an offense specified in clause (iv) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 667 or for an offense requiring registration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 290. (b) This section shall not be applicable to any theft that may be charged as an infraction pursuant to any other provision of law. (c) This section shall not apply to theft of a firearm.

Verify at the official source: California legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.