{"id":352043,"date":"2023-09-29T17:53:38","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T22:53:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/definition-of-larceny.html"},"modified":"2024-11-13T18:52:00","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T23:52:00","slug":"definition-of-larceny","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/definition-of-larceny.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Larceny?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Is Larceny?<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Larceny occurs when a person unlawfully takes and carries away the personal property of another person, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the item. The crime of larceny is more specific than the common theft of property, as it focuses on the theft of personal property.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Many states and the Model Penal Code place larceny and other specific property crimes under the general category of theft crimes<\/a>. Other states retain traditional common-law distinctions in which larceny is its own crime, separate from other property crimes like embezzlement or robbery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This article overviews the crime of larceny. It includes the elements of the offense and a discussion of state laws and penalties. If you are facing a criminal charge related to theft or larceny, consider consulting a criminal defense attorney<\/a> near you. A conviction for this type of charge can have life-altering consequences. An experienced attorney can analyze the prosecution\u2019s evidence to help you build an effective defense.<\/p>\n

Types of Larceny<\/h2>\n

The crime of larceny can take many forms. Each state will set forth its own variations. Thus, consulting with a local criminal defense lawyer<\/a> may help you understand how larceny cases proceed in your area.<\/p>\n

Petit Larceny<\/h3>\n

Often referred to as petty theft<\/a> or petty larceny, it means theft of personal property with low value. Each state sets different threshold values that determine the penalties for thefts. Petit larceny commonly occurs in retail stores in the act of shoplifting<\/a>. A shoplifter will often steal everyday items of relatively low value.<\/p>\n

Grand Larceny<\/h3>\n

Grand larceny is sometimes used to describe theft when the value of the property is high. Each state also sets threshold values for the value of property that could elevate charges to a felony. One example of grand larceny could be the theft of a motor vehicle.<\/p>\n

Embezzlement<\/b><\/h3>\n

Embezzlement is a crime that could be viewed as a kind of larceny involving theft<\/a> or misappropriation of funds or property entrusted to the thief or belonging to the thief’s employer.<\/p>\n

State-Level Examples of Larceny<\/h2>\n

In North Carolina, larceny of property<\/a> includes receiving stolen goods and possessing stolen goods. If the value of the goods taken equals or exceeds $1,000, the offense is a Class H felony. If the value of the goods taken is under $1,000, the offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor.<\/p>\n

Certain larceny offenses in North Carolina are felonies regardless of their value. This includes larceny:<\/p>\n