In Nevada, theft is generally charged as a felony if the value of the items/cash stolen is $1,200 or higher. Though Nevada prosecutors always bring felony theft charges for either: stealing a car or a firearm, pick-pocketing, robbing, or burglarizing – no matter the value of the things stolen.
Felonies carry a minimum of one year in Nevada State Prison, though most theft convictions are probationable.1
Nevada theft crimes that depend on the value of the stolen items
The following four Nevada theft offenses are prosecuted as felonies if the value of stolen property/cash amounts to $1,200 or higher:
- larceny (including shoplifting) – taking another’s property without permission;2
- possession of stolen property (NRS 205.275) – keeping property that you know has been stolen;
- theft of lost property (NRS 205.0832(d)) – stealing property that the rightful owner has lost; and
- embezzlement (NRS 205.300) – wrongfully keeping property that has been temporarily entrusted to you (such as a cashier stealing cash from the register)
The severity of the penalties for these Nevada theft crimes increase with the value of the stolen property.
| Value of stolen property | Punishments (in addition to restitution) |
|---|---|
| $1,200 to less than $5,000 | category D felony:
|
| $5,000 to less than $25,000 | category C felony:
|
| $25,000 to less than $100,000 | category B felony:
|
| $100,000 or more | category B felony:
|
If the value of the items stolen is less than $1,200, then the D.A. will bring misdemeanor theft charges carrying:
- up to six months in jail and/or up to $1,000, plus
- restitution.
Pick-pocketing is always a felony in Nevada even if the cash/items stolen are less than $1,200.
Nevada theft crimes that are always felonies
The following theft crimes in Nevada are automatically charged as felonies no matter the value of the stolen items or cash:
| Nevada theft offense & definition | Penalties (in addition to restitution) |
Grand larceny of a motor vehicle (NRS 205.228)
| First offense Category C felony:
Subsequent offense in five years
|
Possession of a stolen vehicle (NRS 205.273)
| Category C felony:
|
Mail theft (NRS 205.___)
| Category D felony:
|
Grand larceny of a firearm (NRS 205.226)
| Category B felony
|
Larceny from a person (NRS 205.270)
| Category C felony:
|
Robbery (NRS 200.380)
| Category B felony:
|
Burglary (NRS 205.060)
| Burglary of a residence Category B felony:
Burglary of a business Category C felony:
Burglary of another structure Category D felony:
Burglary of a motor vehicle Category E felony for a first offense:
Category D felony for a subsequent offense:
Burglary with a deadly weapon, no matter the location Category B felony:
|
Contact an attorney…
If you have been arrested for stealing in Nevada, contact our Las Vegas theft lawyers. We may be able to get the charges reduced or dismissed without a trial.
See our related articles on the Nevada theft offenses of: trick-rolling, bait-purse stings, looting, and identity theft.
Legal References
- NRS 193.120. NRS 193.130.
- Note that larceny is prosecuted specifically as grand larceny (NRS 205.220) if the stolen items are valued at $1,200 or higher. Otherwise, prosecutors will instead bring charges for petty larceny (NRS 205.240), a misdemeanor.
- Note that burglary also comprises entering a structure or automobile with the intent to commit assault, battery or any felony inside. See also Oliver v. State (2022)
