Which offense involves stealing something of minimal value?

• A. Petty Theft
• B. Grand Larceny
• C. Shoplifting
• D. Burglary

Answer: (A)

The key idea is how theft offenses are divided by the value of the item stolen. When the value is minimal, the offense is petty theft. This category targets small, inexpensive items and is typically treated as a misdemeanor in many jurisdictions. Grand larceny, by contrast, applies when the stolen property exceeds a value threshold, making it a more serious felony. Shoplifting is a form of theft that occurs in a store and can be charged as petty theft or grand larceny depending on value, but it’s the value that determines the severity, not the act of shoplifting itself. Burglary involves breaking into a building with the intent to commit a crime inside, and is not defined by the value of stolen property. So, stealing something of minimal value is best described as petty theft.