Larceny Defense

Remember that Theft, or Larceny, is a crime that can be charged against another even when that person is innocent. The Complaining witness need only allege that the Defendant has taken away or stolen that person’s property without permission. In many instances, situations arise where a one-time friend or acquaintance has given an item to the Defendant, only to demand that it has been stolen once the relationship has broken down (think, loaning a car to a friend or relative).

 

Sweeping Criminal Justice Reform has come to the Commonwealth of Virginia and raised the thresholds for larceny offenses. See the following article: https://www.nbc12.com/2020/03/05/va-governor-signs-law-double-grand-larceny-theshold/

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Right out of the Virginia Statue is the following definition:

A person is guilty of petit larceny if

• they “commit larceny from the person of another of money or other thing of value less than $5" OR

• they “commit simple larceny not from the person of another of goods valued at less than $1,000."

Petit larceny is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

 

In simpler terms, this is basically telling us that if you steal something directly from a person’s body (think pickpocket) valued at less than five bucks or you steal something of theirs that’s not directly from their body (for instance, from their car, home, or workplace) less than a thousand bucks, you’ve committed petit larceny.

 

Again, right out of the Virginia Statue is the following definition:

A person is guilty of grand larceny if:

• they "commit larceny from the person of money or other thing of value of $5 or more" OR

• they "commit simple larceny not from the person of another of goods valued at $1000 or more" OR

• they "commit simple larceny not from the person of another of any firearm, regardless of the firearm’s value.”

 

In simpler terms, this is basically telling us that if you steal something directly from a person’s body (think pickpocket) valued at five bucks or more, or you steal something of theirs that’s not directly from their body (for instance, from their car, home, or workplace) valued at a thousand bucks or more, or you steal any firearm, no matter how much it’s worth … you’ve committed grand larceny.

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Petit Larceny is punishable by confinement in jail for a period not exceeding twelve months or a fine of not more than $2500, either or both 

OR for 

Grand Larceny you can be imprisoned in a state correctional facility of not less than one nor more than twenty years. 

 

Dorsk Law defends people charged with larceny crimes including but not limited to:

• Petit Larceny

• Petit Larceny Third or Subsequent Offense

• Grand Larceny

• Grand Larceny of an Automobile

• Carjacking

• Embezzlement

• Larceny with the Intent to Sell

• Shoplifting

• Concealment

• Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle

• Receiving Stolen Goods

• Possession of Burglary Tools

• Obtaining Money by False Pretenses

• Credit Card Theft and Credit Card Fraud

• Forgery and Uttering

• Breaking and Entering (Burglary)

• Insurance Fraud

 

In these cases, you need an attorney who will serve as your advocate in court. You need a shoplifting lawyer or burglary attorney who is knowledgeable of the defenses available to you and who is familiar with how to argue them effectively in your favor. You need an attorney who will fight for you.

 

Contact Dorsk Law Office

When you are charged with a larceny offense in a Hampton Roads court, contact our office for a consultation so that we can discuss your options and start building your defense. Call 757-423-0271.

 

 

Chad G. Dorsk, Esq.
Dorsk Law Office, Plc. 
409 Duke Street

Unit 100
Norfolk, VA 23510
T: 757-423-0271
F: 757-423-0272
C: 757-677-6994
cdorsk@gmail.com