Larceny

Larceny in Virginia is the wrongful taking of anything of value from another person with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his or her property. Larceny in Virginia is also known as theft or stealing. Larceny in Virginia is charged as either Petty Larceny or Grand Larceny.

Petty Larceny and Grand Larceny

Petty Larceny

Petty Larceny in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-96) is the wrongful taking of an item from a person valued at less than $5 with the intent to deprive the owner of his property permanently, or the wrongful taking of an item not from the person that is worth less than $1,000 with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property. A Virginia Petty Larceny charge is a Class 1 misdemeanor. It is punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, or both. Usually, restitution is also ordered to be paid to replace the money or property lost from the theft.

For more general information on Virginia Petty Larceny charges, click here.

Grand Larceny

Grand Larceny in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-95) is the taking of an item from a person valued at more than $5, intending to permanently deprive the owner of his property, OR taking an item whose value exceeds $1,000 not from a person. Theft of a firearm-regardless of it’s value-is also considered Grand Larceny in Virginia. Grand Larceny in Virginia is a felony punished with up to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500, and restitution usually is ordered to be paid to the victim.

Click here for more information on a theft of a firearm charge in Virginia.

For more general information on Grand Larceny charges in Virginia, click here.

Other Larceny Charges in Virginia

Shoplifting

Shoplifting is one way to charge a Virginia larceny (Va, Code §18.2-103). It can be charged as Petty Larceny or Grand Larceny, depending on the value of the items taken. Shoplifting is a specific form of larceny and can be charged when someone conceals an item in a store, alters a price tag, transfers goods from one container to another in a store, or assists another person in those acts.

Click here for more information on Shoplifting charges in Virginia.

Receiving Stolen Goods

Buying or receiving stolen property is another form of larceny in Virginia (Va. Code §18.2-108). If the value of the item is less than $1,000, it is a misdemeanor. If it is more than $1,000, it is a felony.

Click here for more information on a Receiving Stolen Property charge in Virginia.

Larceny with Intent to Sell or Distribute

Larceny with Intent to Sell or Distribute property valued at $1,000 or more is a felony and is punished with 2-20 years in prison (Va. Code  §18.2-108.01(A)). Additionally, selling, attempting to sell, or possessing with the intent to sell stolen property whose aggregate value is greater than $1,000 is a Class 5 felony and is punished with up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $2,500.

Click here for more information on Larceny with Intent to Sell in Virginia.

Click here for more information on charges involving Selling Stolen Property, Attempting to Sell Stolen Property, or Possessing Stolen Property with the Intent to Sell or Distribute.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement in Virginia occurs when a person wrongfully takes money or property that was entrusted to him or her. A Virginia Embezzlement charge generally results from money or property taken in the course of employment. Money, personal property, and even computer data can be the subject of a Virginia Embezzlement charge. Embezzlement is charged as a misdemeanor if the value of the property or the money embezzled is less than $1,000. It can be charged as a felony if the value of the property or money embezzled is more than $1,000.

Click here for more information on Embezzlement charges in Virginia.

Passing Bad Checks

Writing or attempting to pass a bad check in Virginia with intent to defraud is another form of larceny in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-181. Issuing a bad check in Virginia can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value represented on the check.

Another form of passing a bad check in Virginia occurs when a business writes a check with insufficient funds and intent to defraud in payment for wages or labor (Va. Code §18.2-182). It can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value represented on the check.

Click here for more information on Issuing Bad Checks in Virginia.

Unauthorized Use

Unauthorized Use in Virginia under Va. Code §18.2-102 is the taking of another person’s property, without consent, with the intent to temporarily deprive the owner of his or her property or the use of his or her property. The property that can be the subject of a Virginia Unauthorized Use charge includes vehicles, aircraft, boats, vessels, and animals.

A person can be convicted of a Virginia Unauthorized Use charge if he or she assists someone or is an accomplice to an unauthorized taking or use.

The offense can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the value of the property taken.

Click here for more information on Unauthorized Use charges in Virginia.

Other Larceny Charges in Virginia

For more information on other larceny charges in Virginia, click here.

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