People are often embarrassed, or even mortified when they are caught stealing. Whether you were caught shoplifting a couple of items off a shelf and never thought you’d get caught, or you were stealing on a far larger scale, you most likely now feel a strong sense of shame. Unfortunately, this is not enough to protect you from the criminal system in place, which is most likely why you are reading this now. Even if you are truly sorry, and know you will never make the same mistake again, the court will still view you as a criminal. If you have received a larceny charge in the state of New York, here are some of the questions you may have:
What are the consequences of petit larceny?
If you have been charged with petit larceny, which is more commonly known as shoplifting, this means you are being accused of stealing property valued at $1000 or less, which is a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, you may face fines not to exceed $1000, as well as spend up to a year in jail. This, rather obviously, can affect you for the rest of your life, as having jail time on your record is no small offense. You may not be able to get the job you want, buy the home you want, and take out certain loans for things you need as a result.
What are the consequences of a grand larceny charge?
There are several different levels of grand larceny charges, all varying in severity. The crimes, and their corresponding consequences, are as follows:
Grand larceny in the fourth degree
- Property valued between $1000 and $3000
- Class E felony
- Fines not to exceed $5000 or double the offender’s gain from the crime
- Potential for up to 4 years in prison
Grand larceny in the third degree
- Property valued between $3000 and $50,000
- Class D felony
- Potential for up to 7 years in prison
Grand larceny in the second degree
- Property valued between $50,000 and $1 million
- Class C felony
- Potential for up to 15 years in prison
Grand larceny in the first degree
- Property valued at $1 million or more
- Class B felony
- Potential for up to 25 years in prison
If you have been charged with any of the above crimes, even a misdemeanor, please do not assume it will be a simple matter. Make no mistake, you will need an experienced attorney to fight in your corner. Hiring an attorney may mitigate your charges substantially via plea bargain, or, in some cases, have them dropped altogether. Do not wait. Maximize your chances of retaining your quality of life by hiring a knowledgeable, ambitious attorney as soon as possible.
Contact our experienced New York firm
If you need experienced legal counsel for a criminal defense matter on Long Island or throughout New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation and we would be happy to assist you.
