New Precedent Overrules Antiquated Method for Valuing Currency in Theft of Property Offenses

| March 29, 2016 

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Attorney General Luther Strange says the Alabama Supreme Court recently issued a precedent-setting decision regarding theft of property offenses.

James Hall, was a former commander of the Houston County Disabled American Veterans. He issued a $1,500 check from a DAV account to himself but refused to reimburse the money when other DAV board members disputed the transaction. Hall was convicted for second-degree theft of property in February 2015.

Hall appealed, claiming the indictment charged him with theft of currency but the evidence showed that he actually stole a $1500 check. The Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed Hall’s conviction.

The Alabama Supreme Court decision overruled cases relying on antiquated methods for valuating currency. For example, in past years, five silver coins would have been worth less than five gold coins, so the value of what was stolen depended on its particular nature. The decision modernizes the law to reflect modern financial practices, which recognize that the value of currency is standardized and is not dependent on whether the medium of exchange is currency, check, debit card, or credit card.

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