If you take something that doesn’t belong to you, then you are probably aware that you can be charged with a crime. What you might not know is exactly what that crime will be – robbery? Burglary? Embezzlement? Theft?
In Connecticut, almost all crimes involving theft are charged as larceny. The charge is then graded between first and sixth degree depending on the value of property or services taken, the type of property or services taken, and (in some cases) the victim involved. Depending on the degree, larceny charges carry potential sentences ranging from 3 months in jail and a fine to 20 years in prison.
The SIlls Law Firm advocates for clients who have been charged with larceny and other types of criminal offenses in Connecticut. We will fight to get you the best possible outcome for your case, whether you are charged with first-degree or sixth-degree larceny. Contact our law offices today to schedule a free consultation with a Connecticut criminal defense attorney.
Larceny vs. Theft in Connecticut Law
In Connecticut, larceny is the broad term that is used to define all types of property crimes. A person commits larceny when they wrongfully take, obtain, or withhold property from an owner, with the intent to deprive another of their property or to appropriate the property for themselves or another person.
Larceny includes a range of potential offenses, including:
- Embezzlement or wrongfully appropriating property in their care or custody.
- Obtaining property by false pretenses.
- Obtaining property by false promise, such as promising to deliver an item after being paid and never delivering the item.
- Acquiring property lost, mislaid, or delivered by mistake.
- Extortion or compelling or inducing another person to give them property through threats of some kind.
- Defrauding the public community (making a false claim for benefits or reimbursement from the government).
- Theft of services, which involves accepting services and not paying for them.
- Receiving stolen property.
- Shoplifting.
- Conversion of a motor vehicle (not returning a vehicle after renting or leasing it).
- Obtaining property through fraudulent use of an automated teller machine.
- Library theft.
- Conversion of leased property (i.e., not returning property that has been leased).
- Failure to pay the prevailing rate of wages, or wage theft.
- Theft of utility services.
- Air bag fraud or involves selling, installing, or reinstalling a counterfeit or nonfunctional air bag.
- Theft of motor fuel.
- Failure to repay surplus Citizens’ Election grant funds.
In other words, larceny is the umbrella term that is used to describe all types of stealing. It is also referred to as theft. These terms are often used interchangeably.
Connecticut includes most property offenses in its main larceny statute. There are some exceptions, such as stealing a firearm and stealing a vehicle. Otherwise, if the police believe that you stole something, you will be charged with some degree of larceny.
No matter what the charge may be, you will need a skilled Connecticut theft crimes defense lawyer to represent you. Even a misdemeanor larceny conviction can lead to jail time, along with a criminal record. Our law firm will fight to get you the best possible outcome for your larceny charges.
Types of Larceny Charges in Connecticut
In Connecticut, larceny offenses are classified based on the value of the stolen property or services, the type of property or services stolen, and (in some situations), the victim involved. Larceny charges are graded by degree, from least serious (sixth-degree) to most serious (first-degree). The penalty for each charge will be based on the degree of larceny charged.
Unless a theft charge has a separate criminal offense, it will be prosecuted as one of the following criminal offenses:
- Sixth-Degree Larceny: A person who steals property or services worth $500 or less commits sixth-degree larceny. This charge is a class C misdemeanor, punishable by 3 months in jail and/or a $500 fine.
- Fifth-Degree Larceny: A person who steals property or services with a value of between $500 and $1,000 can be charged with this offense. It is a class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
- Fourth-Degree Larceny: Theft of property or services worth between $1,000 and $2,000 will be graded as fourth-degree larceny. It is a class A misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a $2,000 fine.
- Third-Degree Larceny: A person commits third-degree larceny if they steal property and services valued between $2,000 and $10,000, a public record instrument, or a trade secret. It is a class D felony that carries a punishment of up to 5 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
- Second-Degree Larceny: This charge can be brought when a person steals property or services valued at more than $10,000 but less than $20,000, property of any value taken directly from a person, public community property valued at $2,000 or less obtained by fraud, telecommunications property and the theft interrupted emergency communication services, or property obtained through embezzlement, false pretenses, or false promise where the victim is over the age of 60, under a conservatorship or guardianship, or physically disabled. It is a class C felony, punishable by 1 to 10 years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
- First-Degree Larceny: This crime occurs when a person extorts someone else, steals property, services, or a motor vehicle valued at more than $20,000, or obtains public community property valued at over $2,000 through fraud. It is a class B felony, punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
When sentencing a person for a larceny charge, a judge can also impose a fine that is twice the value of the property or services stolen. Persistent larceny offenders who commit a third or greater misdemeanor larceny offense can have their charge elevated (i.e., charged at a higher misdemeanor or felony level).
It is possible to defend against larceny charges in Connecticut. Depending on the facts of the case, your attorney might argue that it is a case of mistaken identity, that you didn’t have the intent to permanently deprive someone of their property, or that the value of the items taken was lower than what the prosecution alleges. In this way, you might be able to get the charge reduced or dismissed or even be acquitted at trial. Our Connecticut theft crimes defense lawyers can help you get the best possible outcome.
Facing Larceny Charges in Connecticut? Call for a Free Consultation.
Any larceny charge can bring serious consequences, ranging from a few months in jail to as many as 20 years in prison. If you have been charged with any degree of theft, you need experienced legal representation. Our law offices will fight to protect your rights.
At The Sills Law Firm, we offer proactive legal representation to clients who have been charged with a range of Connecticut criminal offenses. We don’t simply sit back and wait for the prosecution to decide what to do. Instead, we thoroughly investigate each case to build the strongest possible defense for our clients.
If you have been charged with larceny or theft in Connecticut, you can schedule a free initial consultation with a Connecticut criminal defense lawyer by calling our law offices at 860-524-8118 or filling out our online contact form.
