Q: Legal penalties for $665 gift card scam conviction

A: A gift card scam involving $665 would typically be prosecuted as theft by deception, fraud, or a similar offense depending on the specific tactics used. In most jurisdictions, this amount falls near the threshold between misdemeanor and felony classification, with many states setting felony thresholds between $500-1,000. The dollar amount places this case in what courts often term the "lower tier" of financial crimes, though digital evidence and planning elements could potentially elevate charging severity.

If charged as a misdemeanor, penalties generally include up to 12 months in county jail, probation ranging from 6-24 months, and fines that often exceed the fraud amount. When prosecuted as a felony, potential sentences increase significantly to 1-5 years of incarceration, though first-time offenders frequently receive probation with strict conditions rather than prison time. Courts typically order full restitution to victims regardless of whether the case is charged as a misdemeanor or felony.

Several factors substantially impact sentencing outcomes, including the defendant's prior criminal history, level of sophistication in executing the scheme, number of victims affected, and demonstration of remorse during proceedings. Many jurisdictions offer pretrial diversion programs for first-time offenders facing non-violent financial crime charges, potentially allowing for case dismissal upon completion of community service, financial literacy courses, and full restitution payment. These programs recognize the societal benefit of rehabilitation over incarceration for lower-value financial crimes where victims can be made whole.