The Las Vegas Law Enforcement Department takes the criminal offense of theft very seriously. A conviction for this offense attracts huge fines and lengthy imprisonment terms.

In this article, we will discuss what exactly is considered theft in Nevada. We will highlight all types of theft offenses in Nevada and explain the difference between grand and petty theft. We will also explain the penalties you may face after being convicted of theft in Nevada. Finally, we will discuss how you can get out of jail as soon as possible. Let us get started!

Grand Theft in Nevada

The Nevada criminal offense of 'grand theft' is also referred to as 'grand larceny.' You will be charged with this offense if you take someone else's property without his/her permission, whose value is or over $1,200.

For instance, you may find yourself facing charges for grand theft if you:

  • Shoplift goods whose worth is or over $1,200
  • Use an ATM card to withdraw money whose value is or over $1,200 from someone else’s account without his/her permission
  • Steal furniture from a hotel room whose worth is over $1,200

Petty Theft in Nevada

The Nevada criminal offense of 'petty theft' is also referred to as 'petty larceny.' You will be charged with this offense if you take someone else's property without his/her permission, whose value is below $1,200.

The key distinction between the criminal offenses of grand theft and petty theft is the value of the property involved. Any stolen good whose value is below $1,200 attracts criminal charges for petty theft.

To ascertain the value of a particular item, prosecutors usually rely on the following:

  • Price tags, especially in cases involving shoplifting
  • Expert testimony
  • The market value of the property

Punishments for Theft in Nevada

In Nevada, petty theft is prosecuted as a misdemeanor. Upon conviction for petty theft, you may face a county jail term of up to six months, or the judge may order you to pay a fine of up to $1,000. The judge may also order you to restitute the victim.

On the other hand, the punishments for grand theft vary depending on the value of the property involved. In Nevada, grand theft is charged as a felony.

If the value of the stolen goods is between $1,200 - $5,000, you will face a state prison sentence of 1 – 4 years, or the judge may order you to pay a fine of up to $5,000. If the value of the stolen goods is between $5,000 - $25,000, you will face a state prison sentence of 1 – 5 years, or the judge may order you to pay a fine of up to $10,000.

If you are convicted of theft, and the property involved has a value of between $25,000 - $100,000, the judge may sentence you to a state prison sentence of 1 – 10 years, or you may receive a $10,000 fine. A conviction of theft involving goods worth over $100,000 attracts a state prison sentence of 1 – 20 years and a $15,000 fine.

Note that most Nevada judges require theft defendants to restitute the victims involved. Therefore, besides the imprisonment sentences and huge fines, the judge may order you to compensate the victim. 

Other Nevada Theft Offenses

Besides grand theft and petty theft, some examples of other Nevada theft offenses include:

  • Grand larceny of a motor vehicle
  • Grand larceny of a firearm
  • Burglary
  • Larceny from a person
  • Robbery
  • Possession of stolen property
  • Possession of lost property
  • Embezzlement
  • Bait-purse theft

Below, we discuss each of these criminal offenses briefly:

Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

In Nevada, if you steal someone else’s car, you will be charged with the criminal offense of grand larceny of a motor vehicle. This offense is commonly referred to as ‘grand theft auto.’

Prosecutors in Nevada charge this offense as a felony. A grand theft auto conviction attracts an imprisonment sentence of 1 – 5 years or a fine of up to $10,000. The judge will also order you to restitute the victim.

Grand Larceny of a Firearm

According to NRS 205.226, stealing someone else's firearm is a criminal offense. You will still be charged with the criminal offense of grand larceny of a firearm even if the gun was broken, was of little value, or if another person had already stolen it.

The criminal offense of grand larceny of a firearm is categorized as a felony. Its punishments include a state prison sentence of 1 – 10 years or a fine of up to $10,000. The judge will also order you to compensate the victim.

Burglary

According to NRS 205.060, you will be charged with the criminal offense of burglary if you enter any car or building intending to commit a felony. Therefore, if you break into a residential or commercial building or vehicle to steal something, you will be charged with burglary. To be convicted of this offense, all the prosecutor needs to prove is that you intended to commit a felony, that is, steal something, even if your plan did not follow through.

Burglary is categorized as a felony. It is punishable by a state prison sentence of 1 – 10 years. You might receive a sentencing enhancement if you were armed with a deadly weapon when committing the offense.

Larceny from a Person

Most people refer to this offense as 'pickpocketing.' As per NRS 205.270, stealing property from another person without using threats or force and without his/her consent is unlawful.

This criminal offense is categorized as a felony. Its punishment includes a state prison sentence of 1 – 5 years or a fine of up to $10,000. The judge will also order the defendant to offer restitution to the victim.

Robbery

If you steal from another person while using force or violence or threats of force or violence, you will be charged with the criminal offense of robbery. Robbery is categorized as a felony.

In Nevada, the punishment for robbery is a state prison sentence of 2 – 15 years. However, you will receive a more severe sentence if you were armed with a deadly weapon when committing the crime.

Possession of Stolen Property

If you are found possessing stolen property, you will face criminal charges under NRS 205.275. Upon conviction, the judge will impose penalties equivalent to that for stealing the property in the first place.

The criminal offense of possession of stolen property is categorized as a wobbler. The prosecutor can charge it as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the property involved and the facts and circumstances of your case.

Possession of Lost Property

In Nevada, possession of lost property is a criminal offense, and it is equated to theft. You will be charged with this offense if law enforcement finds you in possession of lost property and they believe you didn't make any effort or intended to return it to the owner.

Upon conviction, the penalty you will face will depend on the property's value. For instance, if the property's value was below $1,200, you may face a county jail term of not less than six months or a fine of up to $1,000. If the property's value was over $100,000, you might face an imprisonment sentence of 1 – 20 years or a $15,000 fine. The judge will also order you to restitute the victim.

Embezzlement

If you steal money or property you have been entrusted with, you will be charged with embezzlement. In Nevada, the primary law prohibiting embezzlement is NRS 205.300.

This criminal offense can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the property's value. If the property involved were below $1,200, you would face criminal charges for embezzlement as a misdemeanor. The punishments for embezzlement also vary depending on the property value involved.

Bait-purse Theft

In the same way, Las Vegas law enforcement carries out prostitution and drug stings; they also conduct bait-purse stings. A law enforcement officer may leave a valuable item, such as a money purse, in an area under video surveillance. If you take possession of this item, you may be arrested for bait-purse theft.

Like any other theft offense, the punishments for bait-purse theft depend on the value of the property involved. A more valuable property attracts harsher penalties than its less valuable counterparts.

Getting Out of Jail after being Arrested for Theft

If you've been arrested for theft in Nevada, you will be arraigned in court within 24 hours from the time of the arrest. At the courthouse, you will be asked to take a plea, and the judge may make an order that you be released on bail.

You can post bail by yourself or use the services of a bail bonds agent. Typically, you will be required to pay the bail amount at the courthouse. It is the judge who will determine the bail amount.

Find a Las Vegas Bail Bonds Agent Near Me

No one plans on being arrested. However, if you get arrested for theft in Las Vegas, you will definitely want to get out of jail as soon as possible.

We at Express Bail Bonds can help you post bail to secure your freedom. Call us today at 702-633-2245 to discuss more about our services.