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Felony Theft Amount and Penalties in Alabama

The dollar amount that makes theft a felony in Alabama, and the felony and misdemeanor classes and penalties that apply.

Short answer: Theft of property becomes a felony when the value exceeds $500. Tiers: third degree (Class D felony), value that exceeds $500 but does not exceed $1,499; second degree (Class C felony), value between $1,500 and $2,500; Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-8-3, 13A-8-4, 13A-8-4.1; Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions (Criminal); Alabama Sentencing Commission, 2024 Sentencing Standards Manual (offense classes)

How much theft is a felonyTheft of property becomes a felony when the value exceeds $500. Tiers: third degree (Class D felony), value that exceeds $500 but does not exceed $1,499; second degree (Class C felony), value between $1,500 and $2,500; first degree (Class B felony), value that exceeds $2,500.
Second degree: https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/docs/13A-8-4_aTOPIIUC-Value.pdf ; first degree: https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/docs/13A-8-3aTOPI_Deception.pdf ; classes: https://sentencingcommission.alacourt.gov/media/1115/2024-presumptive-manual.pdf
Source: Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-8-3, 13A-8-4, 13A-8-4.1; Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions (Criminal); Alabama Sentencing Commission, 2024 Sentencing Standards Manual (offense classes)
Felony classes and maximum sentencesAlabama grades felonies as Class A, B, C and D. Class A: not less than ten (10) years and not more than life or ninety-nine (99) years in the state penitentiary, and may include a fine not to exceed $60,000. Class B: not less than two (2) years and not more than twenty (20) years, and may include a fine not to exceed $30,000. Class C: not less than one (1) year and one (1) day and not more than ten (10) years, and may include a fine not to exceed $15,000. Class D: not more than 5 years or less than 1 year and 1 day, and may include a fine not to exceed $7,500. Enhancements: a Class A felony in which a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted to be used carries not less than 20 years, and a Class B or C felony with a firearm or deadly weapon not less than 10 years; a Class A felony criminal sex offense involving a child under 12 or child pornography carries not less than 20 years, and a Class B felony sex offense not less than 10 years. For Class C and D felonies with a sentence of not more than 15 years, Section 15-18-8(b) generally requires a split sentence with confinement for a period not exceeding two years followed by probation not exceeding three years.
Ranges and fines quoted from the state court system's official plea-of-guilty rights form; the Legislature's code site did not return statute text.
Source: Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-5-6, 13A-5-11, 15-18-8(b); Alabama Unified Judicial System Form CR-51 (Rev. 1/2019, offenses on or after January 30, 2016)
Misdemeanor classes and maximum penaltiesClass A misdemeanor: up to one (1) year imprisonment in the county jail, or a fine up to $6,000, or both. Class B misdemeanor: up to six (6) months in the county jail, or a fine up to $3,000, or both. Class C misdemeanor: up to three (3) months in the county jail, or a fine not to exceed $500, or both. The code also defines 'violations' as a lower category; the court rules' bail schedule lists a separate range for a violation.
Source: Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-5-7, 13A-5-12; Form CR-51 (Rev. 1/2019); Ala. R. Crim. P. 7.2(b)

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FAQ

How much do you have to steal for it to be a felony in Alabama?
Theft of property becomes a felony when the value exceeds $500. Tiers: third degree (Class D felony), value that exceeds $500 but does not exceed $1,499; second degree (Class C felony), value between $1,500 and $2,500; first degree (Class B felony), value that exceeds $2,500.
What are the felony classes and maximum sentences in Alabama?
Alabama grades felonies as Class A, B, C and D. Class A: not less than ten (10) years and not more than life or ninety-nine (99) years in the state penitentiary, and may include a fine not to exceed $60,000. Class B: not less than two (2) years and not more than twenty (20) years, and may include a fine not to exceed $30,000. Class C: not less than one (1) year and one (1) day and not more than ten (10) years, and may include a fine not to exceed $15,000. Class D: not more than 5 years or less than 1 year and 1 day, and may include a fine not to exceed $7,500. Enhancements: a Class A felony in which a firearm or deadly weapon was used or attempted to be used carries not less than 20 years, and a Class B or C felony with a firearm or deadly weapon not less than 10 years; a Class A felony criminal sex offense involving a child under 12 or child pornography carries not less than 20 years, and a Class B felony sex offense not less than 10 years. For Class C and D felonies with a sentence of not more than 15 years, Section 15-18-8(b) generally requires a split sentence with confinement for a period not exceeding two years followed by probation not exceeding three years.
What are the misdemeanor classes and penalties in Alabama?
Class A misdemeanor: up to one (1) year imprisonment in the county jail, or a fine up to $6,000, or both. Class B misdemeanor: up to six (6) months in the county jail, or a fine up to $3,000, or both. Class C misdemeanor: up to three (3) months in the county jail, or a fine not to exceed $500, or both. The code also defines 'violations' as a lower category; the court rules' bail schedule lists a separate range for a violation.

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.