Prince William County Theft Attorney

Theft Charges in Prince William County

Under the Virginia Code, theft, otherwise known as larceny, is defined as the unauthorized taking of someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. The law distinguishes between two primary types of larceny based on the value of the stolen property or the nature of the theft: petit larceny and grand larceny. 

Although these are the two main types of larceny, there are several offenses that may fall under these categories, including things like robbery, burglary, fraud, credit card theft, embezzlement, obtaining money by false pretenses, and other types of theft. 

Below, we’ll cover the difference between petit larceny and grand larceny, as well as some of the more common theft offenses we handle at Manassas Law Group.

Petit Larceny

As per Virginia Code § 18.2-96, petit larceny is defined as the theft of property or services valued at less than $1,000. It is commonly charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor theft offense, which may warrant a penalty of up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of no more than $2,500.

Grand Larceny

According to Virginia Code § 18.2-95, grand larceny involves the theft of money or property valued at $1,000 or more, the theft of a firearm regardless of its value, or the theft of property directly from a person (like pickpocketing) if the value is $5 or more. Grand larceny is classified as a felony offense, which carries more severe penalties, including a prison sentence ranging anywhere from 1 to 20 years.

Shoplifting

Shoplifting is the willful concealment or possession of goods from a store without paying for them. This offense can be charged as either petit or grand larceny, depending on the value of the property stolen. (Virginia Code §§ 18.2-95, 18.2-96, 18.2-103)

Robbery

Robbery is considered the taking of property from another person by violence or intimidation. This is considered a much more serious crime than theft/larceny due to the element of force or threat and requires the assistance of a skilled Manassas robbery lawyer to mitigate the potential consequences. (Virginia Code § 18.2-58)

Burglary

Breaking and entering into a dwelling house or other building with the intent to commit larceny, assault and battery, or any other felony is considered burglary. (Virginia Code § 18.2-89, 18.2-90, 18.2-91)

Motor Vehicle Theft

The theft or unauthorized use of an automobile is typically prosecuted under the grand larceny statutes but can also fall under specific motor vehicle codes depending on the case’s circumstances. (Virginia Code § 18.2-95, and others)

Receiving Stolen Goods

Knowingly receiving, buying, or concealing stolen goods, knowing them to be stolen, can result in either petit or grand larceny charges based on the value of the stolen property. (Virginia Code § 18.2-108)

Embezzlement

Fraudulently taking or using property by someone who was trusted with it, like an employee with company property, is considered the white-collar crime of embezzlement. This can be charged as either petit or grand larceny. (Virginia Code § 18.2-111)