Penal Code §484
California Penal Code 484: theft and the underlying allegation
PC 484 describes several forms of theft, including taking property, fraudulent appropriation, and false pretenses. The section number alone does not determine every penalty.
Section 484 covers more than one theory
Subdivision (a) describes theft through several kinds of conduct. These include taking another person’s personal property, fraudulently appropriating entrusted property, and obtaining money, property, labor, or services through specified false or fraudulent representations.
The alleged theory matters. A claim about an unauthorized taking presents different factual questions from a claim about entrusted property or a false representation. The broad label “theft” does not identify which facts the prosecution relies on.
Value and the property or service involved
Section 484 states a reasonable and fair market value test for property. It also addresses valuation of services, including the contract price and, where there is no contract price, the reasonable and going wage.
Evidence of ownership, authorization, the particular property or service, and value can therefore be important. A claimed retail figure or a short description in a report should not automatically be treated as the final legal valuation.
Rental-property provisions have their own conditions
Subdivisions (b) through (e) contain provisions concerning leased or rented personal property, written contracts and demands, and specified presumptions. They include conditions and exceptions. They should not be generalized into a rule that every late return is automatically a theft conviction.
If those provisions are alleged, review the agreement, property, demand, timing, and relevant statutory language together. This page does not attempt to resolve a contractual or criminal dispute.
Do not infer the sentence from section 484 alone
Other statutes address classification, punishment, and additional circumstances. This page deliberately does not treat one value threshold as a complete explanation of every theft charge. The applicable provisions, prior history where relevant, and other allegations require current individual review.
Burglary under PC 459 separately concerns entry into specified places with intent to commit theft or a felony. A theft allegation and a burglary allegation are not interchangeable.
Common questions
Is every PC 484 allegation the same kind of theft?
No. The statute describes multiple forms of conduct. Identify the theory and supporting facts rather than relying on the section number alone.
Does this section number determine the sentence?
No. Classification and punishment may involve other provisions and additional circumstances. Read the full charge and current applicable statutes.
Sources
- California Penal Code section 484 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov Source checked on 2026-10-27