Under North Dakota law, a person has committed the offense of theft by:
Like most states, North Dakota classifies its theft offenses according to the value of the property or services stolen. Theft can constitute a misdemeanor if the property or services is worth less than $500, and a felony if the property or services is worth more than $500 (or if the theft involves a certain type of property).
Let’s take a closer look at each level of theft under North Dakota law.
Theft is a class B misdemeanor in North Dakota if the value of the property or services stolen does not exceed $250, assuming that no other special circumstances apply. Certain circumstances can lead to a class B misdemeanor theft being charged as a class A misdemeanor, or even as a felony under North Dakota law (more on this below). (N.D. Cent. Code § 12.1-23-05(4).)
The punishment for a class B misdemeanor in North Dakota is a sentence of imprisonment of no more than 30 days, a fine of no more than $1,000, or both. ( § 12.1-32-01(6).)
Theft is considered a class A misdemeanor in North Dakota if:
The punishment for a class A misdemeanor in North Dakota includes a maximum jail sentence of one year, a fine of no more than $2,000, or both. ( § 12.1-32-01(5).)
Theft is a class C felony under North Dakota law if:
The punishment for a class C felony under North Dakota law includes a sentence of imprisonment of no more than five years, a fine of no more than $5,000, or both. ( § 12.1-32-01(4).)
Theft is a class B felony in North Dakota when:
The punishment for a class B felony in North Dakota is imprisonment for no more than 10 years, a fine of no more than $10,000, or both. ( § 12.1-32-01(3).)
In addition to criminal penalties, a person who commits shoplifting in North Dakota, or the parent or legal guardian of a minor who commits shoplifting, is civilly liable to the store owner for the following damages:
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