Penal Code section 490.1

(a)

Petty theft, where the value of the money, labor, real or personal property taken is of a value which does not exceed fifty dollars ($50), may be charged as a misdemeanor or an infraction, at the discretion of the prosecutor, provided that the person charged with the offense has no other theft or theft-related conviction.

(b)

Any offense charged as an infraction under this section shall be subject to the provisions of subdivision (d) of Section 17 and Section 19.6 and 19.7.
A violation which is an infraction under this section is punishable by a fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

Source: Section 490.1, https://leginfo.­legislature.­ca.­gov/faces/codes_displaySection.­xhtml?lawCode=PEN§ionNum=490.­1.­ (updated Jan. 1, 1991; accessed Jun. 16, 2025).

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§ 490.1’s source at ca​.gov