Crimes: theft.

Existing law, the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act, enacted by Proposition 47, as approved by the voters at the November 4, 2014, statewide general election, defines and prohibits an act of shoplifting and prohibits prosecution for an act of shoplifting under any other law. This bill would refine the definition of shoplifting and would specifically exclude certain offenses from prosecution as shoplifting, including, without limitation, the theft of a firearm or vehicle, identity theft, and credit card fraud. Existing law requires, except as excluded, the theft of any property valued below $950 to be charged as petty theft, a misdemeanor. This bill would similarly exclude certain offenses from this provision, including, without limitation, the theft of a vehicle, identity theft, and credit card fraud. Existing law provides that a person with a prior conviction for specified sex offenses may be charged with a felony for shoplifting or for theft of property not exceeding $950 in value. This bill would create the offense of serial theft for the theft of property valued over $500 where the offender has two or more prior convictions for specified offenses including burglary, robbery, shoplifting, and petty or grand theft. Serial theft could be charged in addition to the predicate offense and would be punishable as either a misdemeanor or felony. This bill would provide that its provisions would become effective only upon approval of the voters, and would provide for the submission of its provisions to the voters for approval at the next statewide general election.