A wallet containing $45 is stolen from a person's pocket; how is this theft classified?

• A. Misdemeanor Grand Theft
• B. Petty theft
• C. Robbery
• D. Grand theft (felony)

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how theft is classified by value and by how the property is taken. Theft from someone’s pocket is a taking of property without force, so it’s not robbery unless force or intimidation occurs during the act. The amount involved matters a lot: grand theft is reserved for higher-value theft and is often a felony, while petty theft covers smaller amounts and is usually a misdemeanor. With only $45 stolen, this falls below common grand-theft thresholds, so the proper label is petty theft. Grand theft would apply only if the value were much higher or if other grand-theft conditions were met.