Petty theft can be charged as a felony under which circumstance?

Petty theft can be charged as a felony if there are three or more prior related convictions. This is often referred to as the "three strikes" rule, which means that individuals with multiple prior related theft convictions may face enhanced penalties, elevating what would typically be a misdemeanor petty theft charge to a felony. This policy is designed to deter repeat offenders and address patterns of criminal behavior, reflecting the legal system's aim to impose stricter consequences on habitual offenders.

In contrast, the value of stolen property being over a specific amount or the nature of the theft (for example, if property is lost but not reported or if it’s stolen from a residence) does not automatically elevate petty theft to a felony in most jurisdictions. Typically, the threshold value for felony theft varies by state, and mere circumstances like the location or reporting status of the property do not inherently change the classification of the offense from petty theft to felony theft.