Which offense category applies to obtaining services for compensation by avoiding payment with value over $2500?

• A. Theft of Services (3rd Degree), felony class D
• B. Theft of Property (2nd Degree), felony class C
• C. Theft of Lost Property (1st Degree), felony class B
• D. Theft of Services (1st Degree), felony class B

Answer: (D)

The main idea here is theft of services, which covers obtaining services for compensation by avoiding payment. The statute grades theft of services by how much value was deprived from the owner. When the value of the services obtained without paying is over $2,500, it reaches the highest service-theft level: first-degree theft of services, a felony class B. That perfectly fits the scenario where someone gets services, doesn’t pay, and the value exceeds $2,500.

The other options mix in theft of property or lower degrees of theft of services, which would apply only at different value thresholds or when tangible property is involved (not services). Theft of lost property would involve items that were lost and found, not services obtained without payment.