It’s false that CA Prop 47 allows someone to steal up to $950 of merchandise without consequence

During a February appearance on Fox News, Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) said, “We removed the consequence for stealing – and what do you know, it caused a lot more stealing. Under Prop 47, you can go into a store and steal up to $950 worth of merchandise and it’s not even charged as a felony. It’s not even a slap on the wrist.” But is that true? No, you can’t steal up to $950 worth of merchandise in California without consequence under Proposition 47. The proposition reduced the punishment for certain theft crimes, but it still classifies shoplifting as a misdemeanor. Proposition 47 reclassified certain theft offenses from felony charges to misdemeanors, according to California Courts. The proposition created a new misdemeanor offense called “shoplifting,” which is punishable by up to six months in county jail, according to California Courts. Attorneys (here, here and here) say shoplifters could also face a fine of up to $1,000, or both a fine and jail time. Shoplifting