The value assigned to stolen property can determine whether an Ohio theft charge is a misdemeanor or felony. A store manager’s reported loss may put that amount in dispute. McNamee Defense questions the valuation, and our theft crimes lawyer in Columbus, OH examines how the property was priced, how the loss was documented, and how police obtained the evidence.
How Does Ohio Grade Theft Charges by Value?
Ohio sorts theft into tiers before anyone looks at the facts. Dollar figures set the degree, and the brackets shift the exposure sharply:
- Under $1,000: Shoplifting, unpaid services, and most workplace losses land here. Petty theft, a first-degree misdemeanor: up to 180 days in jail.
- $1,000 to $7,499: Tools, laptops, and bicycles often cross the line when counted together. Theft, a fifth-degree felony: 6 to 12 months in prison.
- $7,500 to $149,999: Vehicle and equipment cases usually sit in this band. Grand theft, a fourth-degree felony: 6 to 18 months in prison.
- $150,000 to $749,999: Payroll and long-running account cases usually fall into this category. Aggravated theft, a third-degree felony: 9 to 36 months in prison.
- $750,000 to $1,499,999: Aggravated theft, a second-degree felony: 2 to 8 years in prison.
- $1,500,000 and above: Aggravated theft, a first-degree felony: 3 to 11 years in prison.
Value is not always the deciding factor. A stolen credit card, a blank check form, a license plate, or a blank title form makes the offense a fifth-degree felony no matter what the item is worth, under Ohio Revised Code 2913.71, which is how an empty wallet turns into a felony file.
Can a First Theft Charge Be Diverted in Franklin County?
Sometimes, yes. The Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office runs a Diversion Unit that accepts some first-time, non-violent felony cases after indictment, and completing the program ends with dismissal rather than conviction. Entry is never automatic, since the prosecutor and often the alleged victim have to agree, which makes what gets said on your behalf early matter a great deal.
Where Do Columbus Theft Cases Get Filed?
Misdemeanor theft goes to Franklin County Municipal Court on South High Street. At the same time, felony counts reach the Court of Common Pleas only after a grand jury returns an indictment. The two courts run on different timelines, and the gap between them is often where a case gets resolved.
How Our Theft Crimes Lawyer in Columbus, OH, Can Defend You
Many theft files contain more assumptions than proof. Our approach starts with the state’s paperwork:
- Value challenges: Retail tags are not replacement cost, and inflated loss reports fold once receipts arrive.
- Ownership and consent: Shared accounts, borrowed property, and murky permission undercut the intent element.
- Identification gaps: Grainy footage and one employee’s memory rarely establish who did what.
- Early restitution: Covering a documented loss up front reshapes what a prosecutor will accept.
Store security staff often request a signed statement before officers arrive. Our attorney examines the circumstances surrounding that signature, including whether pressure in a back room gives reason to question the statement’s accuracy or reliability.
From Short North and German Village to Clintonville and the Ohio State campus area, we are always in your corner and by your side. Campus cases require attention to separate timelines for university police reports, student conduct proceedings, and the criminal case.
Bring the Paperwork and Let Us Read It
Our office on North Broadway St. is a short drive from the courthouse complex, and the approach at McNamee Defense is thorough, results-driven, and always mindful of your privacy. Bring the citation, the loss prevention report, and anything you were asked to sign. Call (614) 782-8889 or get in touch online to schedule a free consultation with our theft crimes lawyer in Columbus, OH.