If a person is accused of theft and has two prior convictions, can they be charged with a felony?

In Missouri, a person can indeed be charged with a felony for theft if they have prior convictions. Specifically, the law considers individuals with two or more prior theft-related convictions as being eligible for felony charges under the "prior offender" category. This means that their previous convictions can elevate the severity of the current theft charge.

The underlying intent of these laws is to deter repeat offenders and impose stricter penalties on individuals who demonstrate a continued pattern of criminal behavior. Therefore, in this scenario, the presence of two prior theft convictions is a critical factor that supports the argument for felony charges. It adds to the seriousness of the crime and allows the judicial system to impose a harsher penalty in an attempt to mitigate ongoing criminal activity.

The other answer choices do not effectively represent the legal framework in Missouri regarding repeat offenders and theft convictions. The notion that felony charges would only apply under specific monetary thresholds or require a third offense fails to recognize the comprehensive approach Missouri takes toward habitual offenders, enabling enhanced penalties based on prior offenses.