Which penal code is involved with petty theft?

The relevant penal code for petty theft is 488 PC. Petty theft is defined as the unlawful taking of someone else's property valued at $950 or less. This type of theft is considered a misdemeanor under California law, and the primary focus of this code is on the value of the property taken rather than the manner in which the theft is committed.

In contrast, 487 PC pertains to grand theft, which is characterized by the unlawful taking of property valued above $950 or in specific circumstances such as theft of certain types of property like automobiles. The other codes listed, such as 476 PC, addresses the crime of forging or counterfeiting, while 502 PC involves computer crimes like hacking or unauthorized access to computer data. Thus, 488 PC specifically addresses the definition and penalties for petty theft, making it the correct answer.