Hacker News Reader

Comment by ziddoap | Hacker News Reader

Yep, in Canada there is two "thefts" generally: over $5,000 and under $5,000.

I was charged with theft under 5 when I was 14 after stealing two candy bars and a drink from Walmart. Same charge as I would of had if I stole a 70" flatscreen TV, or a top of the line computer.

View on HN

It's not just in Canada. Have you ever heard the term "grand theft auto"? There have been two levels in almost every jurisdiction for a very long time: petty (small) theft and grand (large) theft. The dividing line in England used to be a shilling, for which you could be hanged or transported. Sixpence would get you a short-ish time in gaol/jail.

The story is about a crime in Canada, so it's relevant.

True, but the separation between grand theft and petty theft exists in pretty much every common-law country, and has for centuries - it's not a peculiarity of Canadian law.

Theft over is liable to a term up to 10 years. Theft under is up to two years. Two years or more is time in a federal institution. Anything less (eg. "two years less a day") and you're working for the province.

It basically comes down to if you steal more than $5000 you might go to a very bad place and if it's less, you only go to a slightly less bad place. The line has to be drawn somewhere, and no prison is a particularly good place so it really hardly matters.

Seems they need a new category, "theft under $5" haha

Reply on news.ycombinator.com