{"id":387611,"date":"2025-12-05T12:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-05T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/?page_id=387611"},"modified":"2025-12-05T11:50:46","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T16:50:46","slug":"what-is-petty-larceny","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/what-is-petty-larceny.html","title":{"rendered":"What Is Petty Larceny?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

What Is Petty Larceny?<\/h1>\n\n
\n
\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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
\n

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

\n
\n
\n

Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Petty larceny<\/span> is the unlawful taking of another person’s property without permission, with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. The stolen property<\/span> in petty larceny<\/span> cases has relatively low value, often less than $500 to $2,500 depending on state law<\/span>. Petty larceny<\/span> is classified as a misdemeanor offense in most states.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Petty larceny<\/span>, also known as petit larceny<\/span> or petty theft<\/span>, is a minor criminal offense. It\u2019s closely related to other theft crimes<\/span>, such as shoplifting<\/span> and pickpocketing<\/span>. While it\u2019s not as serious a crime as burglary or grand larceny<\/span>, a person fighting petty larceny<\/span> charges can still face criminal penalties.<\/p>\n

If you are dealing with a petit larceny<\/span> charge<\/span>, you should familiarize yourself with the elements of the crime and the possible penalties. This article explains the basics of\u00a0petty larceny<\/span>\u00a0and discusses the penalties and defenses to petty theft<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re facing criminal charges for taking the property of another<\/span>, consider contacting a local criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a>. They\u2019ll work hard to protect your rights and pursue an acquittal or a favorable plea bargain.<\/p>\n

Legal Definition of Petty Larceny<\/span><\/h2>\n

Every state has its own set of criminal statutes for offenses such as theft, petty larceny<\/span>, and other related crimes<\/a>. However, all of these laws are based on an accepted legal definition of petty larceny<\/span>.<\/p>\n

In general, petty larceny<\/span> is:<\/p>\n