Felony theft laws vary from state to state. In most states, a theft is a felony if the property or services stolen had a value of more than $250 to $500. In Maine, a theft is not a felony unless $1,000 in property or services is taken. Many lawmakers have complained about the felony theft laws in Maine, saying the conditions make the state attractive to thieves. Most thefts are classified by degrees. Florida has three degrees of felony theft. The most serious is first degree grand theft, which a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. California is one of the only states where petty theft is a felony. The stipulation is if you have been convicted of petty once before, your second offense is a charged as a felony. When sentencing felony theft cases, judges consider the offenders prior criminal record and the circumstances surrounding the theft. In addition to prison or jail time, offenders will likely serve a probation sentence, perform community service and pay a fine.