Theft Crimes

• Under Section 514.030 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the crime of theft is defined as the unlawful taking of the property of another with the intent to permanently deprive the rightful owner of that property. The theft statute is further divided into misdemeanor and felony theft, depending upon the value of the property. Theft is a Class A misdemeanor unless the value of the property --- in this case, a horse --- exceeds $500. For a stolen horse valued at more than $500, the theft is enhanced to a Class D felony. If the value of the horse is $10,000 or more, the theft is further enhanced to a Class C felony.
  
  

Felony Statute of Limitations

• Under Section 500.050 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, there is no statute of limitations for a felony committed in Kentucky. Thus, if a stolen horse is valued at more than $500, the crime is a felony and Commonwealth has no time limit for filing charges.
  
  

Misdemeanor Statute of Limitations

• Misdemeanor crimes must be prosecuted within one year from the date committed. Thus, the Commonwealth must file charges within one year from the day immediately following the date of the horse theft. If the one-year anniversary falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline will be the next business day.
  
  

Commencement of Statute of Limitations

• Under the Kentucky statute of limitations, the time is not calculated until every element of the crime has been committed. Therefore, if the horse theft involves planning before the horse is taken, the statute of limitations will not begin to run until the crime has concluded.