{"id":376068,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:30","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-theft-larceny-law.html"},"modified":"2018-03-27T14:19:34","modified_gmt":"2018-03-27T19:19:34","slug":"pennsylvania-theft-larceny-law","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/pennsylvania-law\/pennsylvania-theft-larceny-law.html","title":{"rendered":"Pennsylvania Theft \/ Larceny Law"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Pennsylvania Theft \/ Larceny Law<\/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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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

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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

Overview of Pennsylvania Theft\/Larceny Laws<\/h2>\n

It is a crime in Pennsylvania to commit theft of another person’s property. Note that Pennsylvania uses the term theft instead of larceny to describe any taking of another’s property. To prove that the defendant has committed theft, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant unlawfully took, transferred or exercised control over another person’s property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. A person may also be found guilty of theft if they accept or receive stolen property that they know has been stolen and they do not have the intent to return it to its rightful owner.<\/p>\n

More information about Pennsylvania’s theft and larceny laws can be found in the following table.<\/p>\n\n
Statute<\/b><\/td>\nPennsylvania Statutes Title 18 \u00a7 3921<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>
Statutory Definition of Theft<\/b><\/td>\n

A person is guilty of theft if he intentionally obtains or withholds property of another by deception.\u2002A person deceives if he intentionally:<\/p>\n

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  1. creates or reinforces a false impression, including false impressions as to law, value, intention or other state of mind; \u2009but deception as to a person’s intention to perform a promise shall not be inferred from the fact alone that he did not subsequently perform the promise;<\/li>\n
  2. prevents another from acquiring information which would affect his judgment of a transaction; \u2009or<\/li>\n
  3. fails to correct a false impression which the deceiver previously created or reinforced, or which the deceiver knows to be influencing another to whom he stands in a fiduciary or confidential relationship.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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Types of Property<\/b>
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(a)\u2002Movable property.<\/b> A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with intent to deprive him thereof.<\/p>\n

(b)\u2002Immovable property.<\/b> A person is guilty of theft if he unlawfully transfers, or exercises unlawful control over, immovable property of another or any interest therein with intent to benefit himself or another not entitled thereto.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Pennsylvania defines various takings of property as theft. This includes:<\/p>\n