Larceny — the wrongful taking of another person’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it — is one of the most commonly prosecuted offenses in New York courts. The key distinction from robbery is the absence of force or violence. Larceny charges range from petty theft to grand larceny in the first degree, depending on the value of the property taken and the method used.

Petit larceny (PL §155.25), involving property valued under $1,000, is a Class A misdemeanor. Grand larceny is divided into four degrees. Grand larceny in the fourth degree (PL §155.30) is a Class E felony triggered when the value exceeds $1,000. As the amounts increase, so does the degree of the charge: over $3,000 triggers third degree, over $50,000 triggers second degree (Class C felony), and theft exceeding $1 million constitutes first-degree grand larceny (Class B felony), carrying up to 25 years in prison.

Larceny can also be charged based on the nature of the property taken, regardless of its monetary value. Theft of certain items, such as a firearm, a vehicle, or property taken directly from another person, triggers felony charges regardless of dollar amounts.

The intent element is critical in larceny cases. We often challenge whether the defendant had the requisite intent to permanently deprive the owner, or whether the situation was more ambiguous than the prosecution’s narrative suggests. Valuation disputes, particularly in business disputes involving misappropriated property, are also common and can determine the severity of the charges.