Categories of Theft
In total, there are five categories of larceny that a Syracuse theft attorney can help defend against. Petit larceny, listed under New York Penal Law §155.25, is the most minor version of larceny and applies to all thefts valued under $1,000. A conviction here is a class A misdemeanor.
The next level of larceny—grand larceny in the fourth degree—applies when the value of the items is between $1,000 and $3,000. However, as stated in New York Penal Law §155,30, this charge also applies when the stolen item is of a religious nature, is a public record, or is a credit or debit card. Fourth-degree grand larceny is a class E felony.
The classification of felony grand larceny continues through the third, second, and first degrees—respectively, felonies of classes D, C, and B—with the cutoff values dividing each category being $50,000 between third and second and $1 million between second and first.
Any theft of over $1 million worth of money or goods is first-degree grand larceny, according to NYPL §155.42. In addition, NYPL §155.35 establishes that any theft from an ATM is automatically third-degree grand larceny, and NYPL §155.40 makes any theft achieved through extortion automatically second-degree grand larceny.
Qualifications and Consequences
When a Syracuse court determines how to classify a theft offense, it bases the final charge on the total value of all the items involved. For instance, a person accused of taking four $500 televisions could be charged with grand larceny in the fourth degree, since the total value of the items is $2,000.
Beyond the prison sentences that can be applied to any conviction for larceny, the court may also require a defendant to pay heavy fines, as well as restitution for the value of the items taken to the property owner. A Syracuse theft lawyer could help you fully understand the potential ramifications of a conviction.
