The Theft Ladder
Crim. Law § 7-104 — under $100 up to 90 days; $1,500 is where theft becomes a felony
Maryland folds the old theft offenses into one: taking or exerting unauthorized control over property, getting it by deception, possessing property known or believed to be stolen, keeping lost or misdelivered property while knowing how to find the owner, and getting paid services by deception. The penalty turns on the value.
| Value of the property or services | Grade | Penalty up to |
|---|---|---|
| Value of the property or servicesLess than $100 | GradeMisdemeanor | Penalty up to90 days, a $500 fine, or both |
| Value of the property or services$100 to less than $1,500, first conviction | GradeMisdemeanor | Penalty up to6 months, a $500 fine, or both |
| Value of the property or services$100 to less than $1,500, second or later | GradeMisdemeanor | Penalty up to1 year, a $500 fine, or both |
| Value of the property or services$1,500 to less than $25,000 | GradeFelony | Penalty up to5 years, a $10,000 fine, or both |
| Value of the property or services$25,000 to less than $100,000 | GradeFelony | Penalty up to10 years, a $15,000 fine, or both |
| Value of the property or services$100,000 or more | GradeFelony | Penalty up to20 years, a $25,000 fine, or both |
Every grade also requires restoring the property or paying the owner its value. Someone with four or more prior theft convictions convicted of a theft under $1,500 faces up to 5 years or $5,000, but only if the State's Attorney gave notice at least 15 days before trial or before a plea.
A prosecution for a theft under $1,500 has to begin within 2 years. Intent not to keep a promise cannot be inferred only from the fact the promise was not kept.
Sources for this section (1)
- Md. Code, Crim. Law § 7-104 — Theft
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.