Grand Theft Auto (crime)

for other meanings of Grand Theft Auto, see the Grand Theft Auto disambiguous page.

Grand Theft Auto (GTA) is a felony in several states in the United States of America.

In American state law, grand theft is a felony. Individual state penal codes define when larceny or theft misdemeanors become grand and therefore a felony. Generally, the division is based on monetary value and intent. A grand theft auto felony involves the taking of an auto from its owner with the intention of keeping the auto permanently. Removing parts or items from a vehicle is a misdemeanor. But both are again often related to monetary value. Felony crimes are also subdivided into degrees relating to seriousness. For example, in California, the change is based around a dollar value of $400, although the term grand theft has actually been dropped -- the crime is now CVC 10851.