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San Francisco’s battle with repeat theft
San Francisco’s theft laws have become a point of debate, especially as California has changed how lower-value and repeat theft cases are handled. But the story is more complicated than a simple claim that theft goes unpunished.
California raised its general grand-theft threshold to $950 in 2010. Proposition 47 later expanded misdemeanor treatment for many thefts involving $950 or less, while newer laws have created additional tools for repeat and organized retail theft cases.
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The $950 theft threshold
California raised its general grand-theft threshold from $400 to $950 in 2010. Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014, later added Penal Code Section 490.2, which generally classifies theft of property valued at $950 or less as petty theft and provides misdemeanor punishment.
The law contains exceptions for certain offenders and specific property. Other California statutes can also support more serious charges when their legal requirements are met.
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Proposition 36 changed repeat theft cases
California changed its approach to repeat theft offenses after voters approved Proposition 36 in November 2024. The measure took effect December 18, 2024, and created Penal Code Section 666.1 for certain petty theft defendants with at least two prior theft convictions…