Theft is the secret taking of someone else's movable property with the aim of appropriating it — Article 177 of the Criminal Code. The penalty depends mainly on the value and the circumstances.
Penalties
- Basic case — a fine, house arrest, or 1 to 3 years' imprisonment
- Significant damage (over GEL 150) or breaking into premises — 3 to 5 years
- By a group, repeatedly, breaking into a home, or stealing a vehicle — 4 to 7 years
- A large amount (over GEL 10,000) or by an organised group — 6 to 10 years
What matters for the defence
- A correct valuation of the property — it decides which part of the article applies
- Whether the taking was secret and aimed at appropriation
- Video footage, identification and seizure records
- Compensating the damage and reaching agreement with the victim
If you are arrested
Use your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer. You must be charged within 48 hours of arrest, and within the following 24 hours a court decides on a preventive measure.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from a lawyer on your specific case.