Larceny is a crime in Virginia, Maryland & Massachusetts is the illegal taking and carrying away of personal property belonging to another with the purpose of permanently depriving the owner of its possession.

Larceny-Theft

To be convicted of the crime of larceny in Virginia, Maryland or Massachusetts, several elements are necessary. The intent of the party must be felonious; he must intend to appropriate the property of another to his own use. If the accused have taken the goods under a claim of right, however unfounded, he has not committed a larceny.

In Virginia, Maryland & Massachusetts, the taking must be in the county where the criminal is to be tried. But when the taking has been in the county or state and the thief is caught with the stolen property in another county than that where the theft was committed, he may be tried in the county where arrested with the goods, as by construction of law, there is a fresh taking in every county in which the thief carries the stolen property.

To be convicted of the crime of larceny in Virginia, Maryland or Massachusetts, there must be an actual carrying away, but the slightest removal, if the goods are completely in the power of the thief, is sufficient.

Larceny is divided in Virginia, Maryland & Massachusetts into grand and petit larceny depending upon the value of the property stolen.

Shoplifting is another form of larceny as is embezzlement.

Have you been charged with the crime of larceny in Maryland, Massachusetts or Virginia?

Are you facing a larceny crime charge in Maryland, Massachusetts or Virginia?

If you need help to defend yourself against a larceny crime charge in Maryland, Massachusetts or Virginia, then contact the SRIS Law Group Maryland, Massachusetts or Virginia larceny defense lawyers for help.

Our Maryland, Massachusetts & Virginia larceny defense attorneys will do their best to help you.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SOME OF THE LAWS IN VA, MD & MA:

• § 18.2-97. Larceny of certain animals and poultry.

Any person who shall be guilty of the larceny of a dog, horse, pony, mule, cow, steer, bull or calf shall be guilty of a Class 5 felony; and any person who shall be guilty of the larceny of any poultry of the value of $5 dollars or more, but of the value of less than $200, or of a sheep, lamb, swine, or goat, of the value of less than $200, shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.

• § 7-109. Proof of theft.

(a)  In general.- Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a charge of theft may be proved by evidence that the theft was committed in a manner that is theft under this part, even if a different manner is specified in the information, indictment, warrant, or other charging document.

(b)  Continuance or other relief.- A court may grant a continuance or other appropriate relief:

(1) to ensure a fair trial; and

(2) if the conduct of the defense would be prejudiced by lack of fair notice or by surprise.

• ALM GL ch. 266, § 40 – Common and Notorious Thief.

Whoever, having been convicted, upon indictment, of larceny or of being accessory to larceny before the fact, afterward commits a larceny or is accessory thereto before the fact, and is convicted thereof upon indictment, and whoever is convicted at the same sitting of the court, as principal or accessory before the fact, of three distinct larcenies, shall be adjudged a common and notorious thief, and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than twenty years or in jail for not more than two and one half years.