How does the law distinguish between theft under $5,000 and theft over $5,000?

The difference is the way in which the Crown Prosecutor handles the charge. In the case of theft under $5000, the Crown Prosecutor can decide to handle the charge as either a "summary offence" or as an "indictable offence". Of the two, indictable offences are the more serious and the court procedures are more complicated. If a person is convicted of an indictable offence, the penalties can be more severe.

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