Three Variations of Larceny Under Virginia Criminal Law
Virginia criminal law defines larceny as the theft of property or other things of value. Larceny can happen “from the person” — meaning the perpetrator took it directly from the owner, like a pickpocket. Or larceny can happen “not from the person,” where the theft occurs when the owner is not present. In either situation, the punishment for larceny largely depends on the value or type of property in question, as explained in the following sections.
- Petit Larceny
Code of Virginia Section 18.2-96 details the laws against and penalties for petit larceny. Under this section, petit larceny applies when the perpetrator steals:
- Less than $5 worth of property from the person of the owner; or
- Less than $500 worth of property not from the person of the owner.
Any perpetrator who commits petit larceny is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor under Section 18.2-96. Upon conviction for this class of misdemeanor, the perpetrator is potentially subject to 12 months in jail and $2,500 in fines.
- Grand Larceny
Code of Virginia Section 18.2-95 provides the laws against and penalties for grand larceny. Under this section, grand larceny applies when the perpetrator steals:
- More than $5 worth of property from the person of the owner;
- More than $500 worth of property not from the person of the owner; or
- Firearms worth any amount not from the person of the owner.
Any perpetrator who commits grand larceny is guilty of a felony under Section 18.2-95. Upon conviction for this type of felony, the perpetrator is potentially subject to 20 years in prison and $2,500 in fines. In certain situations, though, it is possible to reduce grand larceny charges to the punishment described previously for Class 1 misdemeanors.
- Animal Larceny
Code of Virginia Section 18.2-97 establishes the laws against and penalties for animal larceny. In this context, it does not matter whether larceny occurs from the person or not. Under this section, animal larceny applies when the perpetrator steals:
- Dogs, horses, ponies, mules, cows, steer, bulls, or calves worth any amount;
- Poultry worth between $5 and $500; or
- Sheep, lambs, swine, or goats worth less than $500.
Any perpetrator who commits animal larceny is guilty of a felony under Section 18.2-97. When the theft involves poultry, sheep, lambs, swine, or goats, it is a Class 6 felony. Upon conviction for this type of felony, the perpetrator is potentially subject to five years in prison and $2,500 in fines.
On the other hand, if the theft involves dogs, horses, ponies, mules, cows, steer, bulls, or calves, it is a Class 5 felony. Upon conviction for this type of felony, the perpetrator is potentially subject to 10 years in prison and $2,500 in fines.
Contact Us Today for Help
If you need legal help with Virginia charges for larceny or other criminal offenses, it can be exceedingly constructive to contact a trusted criminal defense lawyer. The Leesburg larceny, theft & fraud lawyers at Simms Showers LLP have a substantial amount of combined legal experience in matters of criminal defense, including larceny. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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