Q: 50$ worth of lottery tickets. The amount is a misdemeanor but the state owns the tickets so it's a felony? I'm confused
I'm being charged with a felony because the state owns the lottery tickets. However the actual amount that was missing was only 50$. The state says it's a misdemeanor unless the amount reaches over 500$. How come I'm being charged with a felony if the amount isn't over 500$? Is it because the state owns the tickets and they're the ones suing me ? I'm very confused
A:
While the value of the lottery tickets may have been below the felony threshold of $500, it's can be a felony to steal lottery tickets under OCGA § 50-27-27(b):
"any person who influences or attempts to influence the winning of a prize through the use of coercion, fraud, deception, or tampering with lottery equipment or materials shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $50,000.00 or by imprisonment for not longer than five years or both."
Hope that clears things up for you.
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