Fairfax Larceny, Theft & Fraud Attorney
Larceny, theft, and fraud are offenses that may be charged either as misdemeanors or felonies in Virginia, depending upon the value of the goods and whether the charges occurred concurrently with other related criminal offenses. If you are facing larceny or fraud charges in Virginia, you should begin working with a Fairfax larceny, theft & fraud attorney as soon as possible.
Different Types of Larceny Offenses in Fairfax, Virginia
Generally speaking, theft offenses in Virginia fall under the category of the criminal offense of “larceny.” There are many different types of larceny under Virginia law, and they range in seriousness from minor misdemeanors to severe felony offenses that can result in a substantial term of imprisonment. Whether a larceny offense is charged as a misdemeanor or felony depends mostly on the value of the property that is alleged to have been stolen, or attempted to have been stolen. Smaller property values tend to be misdemeanor offenses, while the attempted theft of higher value property tends to be charged as a felony offense. The following are examples of larceny charges in Fairfax, VA:
- Grand larceny (Code of Va. § 18.2-95) is a type of theft that may involve pickpocketing (or stealing directly from a person) of $5 or more, theft of goods or money valued at $500 or more, or theft of a firearm;
- Petit larceny (Code of Va. § 18.2-96) is a lesser offense than grand larceny, and it is a crime that can be charged when a person is alleged to have pickpocketed money or goods worth less than $5, or stolen property or goods worth less than $500; and
- Shoplifting, which can be charged as either grand larceny or petit larceny depending upon the value of goods in question, and is defined under Virginia law (Code of Va. § 18.2-103) as “concealing or taking possession of merchandise” or “altering price tags.”
The larceny of bank notes or checks is also a type of larceny or theft offense under Virginia law, and Virginia still has a specific statute prohibiting the theft of animals or poultry, which can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending upon the particular circumstances.
Fraud as a Theft Offense in Fairfax, VA
In some cases, fraud can be a type of theft-related offense. Under Virginia law (Code of Va. § 18.2-178), obtaining money or a signature by false pretense can result in Class 4 felony charges.
Seek Advice from a Fairfax Larceny, Theft & Fraud Defense Attorney
Larceny, theft, and fraud offenses in Virginia may be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Regardless of whether you are convicted of a misdemeanor or felony offense, you should remember that this criminal record will remain with you for the rest of your adult life. To be sure, Virginia does not permit the expungement of adult criminal convictions. As such, you need to be sure you have the best possible defense team to help you beat these larceny or theft charges. One of the aggressive Fairfax larceny, theft & fraud defense attorneys at our firm can begin working on your case. Contact Simms Showers LLP today.
