Definition of the word grand theft

The term "grand theft" is a legal term used in common law jurisdictions, such as in the United States, to describe a serious criminal offense that involves theft or larceny of another person's property. In contrast, petty theft or petty larceny refers to less serious theft offenses. The origin of the term "grand theft" dates back to the eighteenth century in England. At that time, the crime of theft was divided into two categories: grand larceny and petit larceny. Grand larceny referred to the theft of goods valued at a certain amount or the theft of specific types of property, such as horses, tools, or money in excess of a certain value. Petit larceny, on the other hand, involved the theft of smaller or less valuable items. Over time, the specific amounts or types of property that constituted grand larceny varied by jurisdiction. However, the general principle of distinguishing between grand and petit larceny as based on the value or nature of the property stolen remained. In the United States, most states now use the criminal code terminology of theft instead of larceny, but the grand/petty distinction remains. The specifics of what constitutes grand theft differ by state; for example, in Florida, grand theft involves theft of over $300 in value, whereas in California, it involves theft of over $950. In summary, the term "grand theft" is rooted in English common law and refers to a serious criminal offense involving the theft of property valued above a certain amount or the theft of specific types of property.