PNA Law - Northern Virginia Criminal Lawyers
Virginia Grand and Petit Larceny Criminal Defense Attorney
Larceny occurs when a person allegedly takes another person’s property. This crime involves trespassing in order to take possession of property, depriving the rightful owner of said property. In order to convict a person of this crime, the Commonwealth must prove that a person trespassed willfully to commit a crime and intentionally took control of the property, if only for a moment.
Grand versus Petit Larceny Charges in Virginia
The penalties for this crime will depend on the value of the object a person allegedly takes control of. Petit larceny occurs when the value of the property or service is $200 or more, or less than $5 if taken directly from another person. Grand larceny occurs if the property is valued at $200 or more, is valued at more than $5 if taken from another person, or is a firearm of any kind.
It is important to note that larceny occurs even if a person returns the property or decides against the act. For instance, if a person decides to steal a car, breaks into it, and begins driving it away only to immediately decide against it, they could still be charged with Grand Larceny in Virginia.
Penalties
Whether charged with Petit Larceny or Grand Larceny, a person will face serious criminal charges. Petit Larceny is a Class 1 Misdemeanor that can carry with it up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. Grand Larceny is a felony charge that can result in imprisonment for between one to twenty years in a state correctional facility. A person can also be sentenced to no more than 12 months in jail without a jury trial if charged with Grand Larceny.
This serious charge requires the help of an experienced Virginia criminal defense attorney. At The Law Offices of Patrick N. Anderson and Associates, our team of lawyers has helped many clients facing larceny charges, both grand and petit larceny. We will examine your case from all angles and work to build reasonable doubt about your guilt. We will aggressively challenge all evidence against you and work to achieve the best possible results for your particular charges.
FREE, CONFIDENTIAL LEGAL CONSULTATION
You can reach us 24/7 at (703) 930-5117, or email us for a free consultation. Rest assured that any information provided to us is completely confidential. We look forward to helping you.