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Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2023

Has theft been decriminalized in Nevada?


no

Since June 2019, property theft up to $1,200 in value has been a misdemeanor in Nevada, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The misdemeanor threshold was increased from $650.

Attorneys say some thieves, especially first-time offenders, may avoid prosecution by paying a fine and restitution, and completing an educational course about shoplifting consequences.

In a 2022 survey by the National Retail Federation, 70.8% of respondents reported a moderate or substantial increase in Organized Retail Crime where felony theft thresholds were increased. ORC is large-scale theft with the intent to resell the items. In January 2023, a bill was introduced in Congress to combat ORC nationally.

However, the NRF survey also reported overall retail industry inventory losses were similar to the previous five years. Additionally, while external theft is the largest source of inventory loss (37%), internal theft and process failures comprise 54% of losses. 

See a full discussion of this at The Nevada Independent

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The Nevada Independent is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news and opinion website founded in 2017 by veteran political journalist and commentator Jon Ralston. The site and its supporting channels are focused on ethical, unbiased and transparent journalism. In general, we aim to gather and disseminate important public information and increase civic engagement. We are supported by corporate donations, memberships, event ticket sales and sponsorships and foundation grants. We disclose all our members and donors. Donors have no influence over our content, ever. The Nevada Independent is the dba for Nevada News Bureau, Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2010 by Elizabeth Thompson, who now serves as one of The Nevada Independent's managing directors and its Editor.

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