PL 155.25 · Article 155
Petit Larceny
Petit larceny means wrongfully taking, obtaining or withholding property from its owner with intent to deprive another of it or appropriate it to yourself or a third person. The offense does not require proof of a particular property value.
Has your loved one been arrested or taken into police custody?
Text us immediately · (845) 290-2492What the prosecutor must prove
- You wrongfully took, obtained or withheld property from its owner.
- You intended to deprive another of the property or to appropriate it to yourself or a third person.
Defenses that commonly apply
- You had an honest claim of right to the property.
- The prosecution cannot prove a wrongful taking from an owner.
- There was no intent to deprive or appropriate the property; returning an item does not by itself erase a completed theft.
Penalties and collateral consequences
A Class A Misdemeanor carries a maximum sentence of up to 364 days and a fine of up to Up to $1,000.
A first petit larceny conviction often resolves without jail, but a theft record follows you into jobs, housing and licensing.
Every case turns on its own facts. The information on this page is general, not legal advice.
Related charges
Related practice areas
Aggressive, experienced defense for arrests, investigations, and serious charges in Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties.
From major felonies to misdemeanors and violations, a former prosecutor in your corner from arraignment to verdict.
Tickets, license suspensions, and DMV hearings — keep points off your record and your license in your pocket.