Robbery is taking another person’s property by force, intimidation, or sudden snatching. The punishment for robbery in Georgia is 1-20 years in prison. If the victim is 65 or older, the punishment is 5-20 years.

Armed robbery is when a person takes the property of another using a weapon. The punishment for armed robbery is 10-20 years or life imprisonment.

Burglary is entering into a building without permission intending to commit a felony or theft. The punishment for burglary, if it is the first offense, is 1-20 years in prison. For a second offense, the punishment is 2-20 years in prison. For a third offense, the punishment is 5-20 years in prison.

Theft by taking happens when a person lawfully has another person’s property and then takes or keeps the property without permission. If the property is worth $500 or less, theft by conversion is a misdemeanor, and the punishment is incarceration in a local correctional facility for up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $1000. If the property is worth more than $500, the punishment is 1-10 years in prison.

Theft by conversion is when a person lawfully has another’s property or money but then unlawfully keeps the property and uses it for themself. An example of theft by conversion if you rent a car and then do not return it at the end of the rental period. If the property is worth $500 or less, theft by conversion is a misdemeanor, and the punishment is incarceration in a local correctional facility for up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $1000. If the property is worth more than $500, the punishment is 1-10 years in prison.

Theft of lost or mislaid property happens when a person finds property that they know has been lost and takes it without trying to find the owner.  If the property is worth $500 or less, theft of lost or mislaid property is a misdemeanor. The punishment is incarceration in a local correctional facility for up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $1000. If the property is worth more than $500, the punishment is 1-10 years in prison.

Theft by receiving stolen property happens when a person receives, disposes of, or retains stolen property that they know was stolen. This is a crime unless the person takes the property with the intent to return it to its owner. If the property is worth $500 or less, theft by receiving stolen property is a misdemeanor. The punishment is incarceration in a local correctional facility for up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $1000. If the property is worth more than $500, the punishment is 1-10 years in prison.

Theft by shoplifting is when a person, alone or with others, intends to take merchandise without paying for the full value AND:

• Hides or takes the item from the store,
• Changes the price of the item,
• Moves the merchandise from one container to another,
• Swaps a price tag from one item to another, OR
• Wrongfully pays less than the merchant’s stated price.

The punishment for shoplifting depends on the value of the property and any previous convictions: 

• If the property is worth more than $300 or if the person has three or more prior shoplifting convictions, the punishment is 1-10 years in prison.
• If property is less worth $300 or less,  theft by shoplifting is a misdemeanor, and the punishment is incarceration in a local correctional facility for up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $1000.