Penal Code §487
California Penal Code 487: grand theft explained
PC 487 identifies when theft is grand theft, including value-based and property-specific categories. The charge and penalty depend on the precise subdivision.
The general threshold and its exceptions
Under section 487(a), theft of money, labor, real property, or personal property worth more than $950 is grand theft, subject to the statute’s other subdivisions.
Section 487 separately addresses certain agricultural and aquacultural products, property taken by an employee from an employer, property taken from a person, and theft of an automobile or firearm. Some categories do not depend on the general $950 threshold.
Related acts and valuation
Subdivision (e) permits the value of distinct but related acts to be combined when statutory conditions are met. It describes a common intention, impulse, and plan; separate incidents are not automatically combined merely because they involve the same person.
The valuation date, ownership records, receipts, and the exact category alleged can change whether the cited subdivision fits.
Misdemeanor or felony consequences
Section 489 sets out grand-theft punishment. In many cases it provides a county-jail term of up to one year or a term under section 1170(h). Theft of a firearm has a separate state-prison provision. The specific property and subdivision should be checked before describing the potential sentence.
Questions to bring to counsel
Identify the item, the alleged value, how the prosecution calculated it, and whether the charge relies on an exception or aggregation. The theft definition in section 484 and the grand-theft penalty in section 489 are separate provisions.
Common questions
Does grand theft always require more than $950?
No. Section 487 contains exceptions, including property taken from a person and theft of an automobile or firearm.
Is grand theft always a felony?
No single answer covers every grand-theft allegation. Section 489 provides different punishment paths according to the property and subdivision; review the charged facts and applicable sentencing provision.
Sources
- California Penal Code section 484 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov Source checked on 2026-10-31
- California Penal Code section 487 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov Source checked on 2026-10-31
- California Penal Code section 489 leginfo.legislature.ca.gov Source checked on 2026-10-31