{"id":374035,"date":"2018-07-13T14:29:32","date_gmt":"2018-07-13T19:29:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-theft-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-07-16T12:58:38","modified_gmt":"2018-07-16T17:58:38","slug":"massachusetts-theft-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-theft-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Theft Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Theft Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

The crime of theft involves taking someone else's property without their permission and with the intention to permanently deprive them of that property. Each state has its own definition for theft, which can also be called larceny<\/a> in some states, including Massachusetts. States usually have separate laws to address specific types of theft, such as shoplifting and robbery. Massachusetts also has a variety of very specific theft-related offenses, such as larceny of bicycles<\/a> and also stealing in a building, ship or railroad car<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Massachusetts Theft Laws: The Basics<\/h2>\r\n

While reading the actual law is an important step to legal research, it can be a tedious task as many statutes are written in legal jargon that can take time to decipher. To speed up the process of understanding a statute, it can be helpful to also read a summary of the law without the "legalese." Below you'll find an overview of theft laws in Massachusetts as well as links to relevant statutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Massachusetts General Laws, Part IV, Title I, Chapter 266, Section 30<\/a> (Larceny: General Provisions and Penalties<\/i>)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

What's Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\r\n

It's prohibited for a person to (1) steal, (2) with intent to defraud obtain by false pretense, or (3) with intent to steal or embezzle<\/a> convert the property of another.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Penalties<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Larceny is generally punishable as follows:<\/p>\r\n

Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\r\n

Note: Massachusetts has a number of statutes that apply to theft. For your convenience, a sample of some of the statutes related to theft are listed below.<\/p>\r\n

Massachusetts General Laws, Part IV, Title I, Chapter 266:<\/p>\r\n