What Is Grand Larceny?
Taking property or money belonging to another person can result in grand larceny charges in Nevada. The crime of larceny refers to a specific type of theft involving property or money. Depending on the value or type of property in question, a larceny offense can upgrade to “grand” larceny.
Nevada law defines larceny as intentionally stealing, taking, carrying, leading, or driving away property another person owns. Someone can face larceny charges if they use a car or other device to withdraw or transfer money not belonging to them from a bank. In Nevada, grand larceny occurs when a person steals, takes, carries, drives, or leads away $1,200 or more in:
- Personal goods or property another person owns
- Bedding, furniture, or other property a lodging facility owns
- Real property converted into personal property when it was severed from another person’s real property
- Money in a financial institution belonging to another party
- Another party’s livestock or domesticated animals
Nevada also defines separate offenses for grand larceny of a firearm or a motor vehicle. A person can face grand larceny charges if they intentionally steal, take, or carry away someone else’s gun or car.
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Value Thresholds for Grand Larceny Under Nevada Law
Nevada distinguishes grand larceny from the less serious offense of petit larceny based on the value of the stolen goods or money. In most cases, stealing property or money worth $1,200 or more will result in a grand larceny charge. Stealing property worth less than $1,200 will result in a petit larceny charge. A conviction of petit larceny will result in misdemeanor penalties rather than the felony penalties that accompany a grand larceny conviction.
Special Consideration for Grand Larceny Charges
It’s worth noting that prosecutors can bring grand larceny charges for the theft of certain types of goods regardless of their value. For example, grand larceny occurs when a person steals or takes someone else’s firearm or motor vehicle, regardless of its worth.
People can also commit grand larceny by stealing, taking, or carrying away one or more heads of livestock owned by another person. Similarly, grand larceny can involve intentionally defrauding, stealing, appropriating, or preventing the identification of livestock by:
- Marking or branding one or more heads of another person’s livestock
- Altering or defacing a mark or brand on one or more heads of another person’s livestock
- Selling or purchasing the hides or carcasses of another person’s livestock with marks or brands that have been cut out or obliterated
- Killing livestock owned by another person and running at large, regardless of brands or marks
Nevada law empowers all local, county, and state law enforcement officers to pursue, apprehend, and arrest people who commit grand larceny of livestock or domesticated animals. Authorities can pursue suspects for this offense regardless of municipal or county borders within Nevada.
Nevada law also states that courts should value property involved in a larceny offense according to the highest value attributable to the property by any reasonable standard. Furthermore, the court may aggregate the value of property involved in one or more larceny offenses under a common scheme. This means defendants could face more severe penalties if courts value stolen property at the highest possible amount or connect multiple thefts to a common plan.
Penalties for a Grand Larceny Conviction
Under Nevada law, the penalties for a grand larceny conviction depend on the value of the items or money stolen or the type of property in question:
- Value of Less Than $5,000: Category D felony, punishable by one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000
- Value of $5,000 to $25,000: Category C felony, punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- Value of $25,000 to $100,000: Category B felony, punishable by one to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
- Value of $100,000 or More: Category B felony, punishable by one to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000
Grand larceny of a firearm carries a penalty of one to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. First-time grand larceny of a motor vehicle carries a penalty of one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. For a second offense within five years, penalties range from one to six years in prison.
In addition to prison terms and fines, courts frequently order defendants convicted of grand larceny to pay restitution, which involves reimbursing victims for their financial losses resulting from the theft. Courts may also order convicted persons to forfeit any monetary gain or profit they made from the sale of stolen goods or money.
Defenses to a Grand Larceny Charge
Defendants facing grand larceny charges can raise numerous defenses to reduce or dismiss their charges:
- Lack of Intent: Nevada’s grand larceny statute requires prosecutors to prove that a defendant intentionally stole the property. Demonstrating a lack of intent can be a solid defense.
- Consent: A defense attorney could argue that the defendant had the property owner’s permission to take or carry away the property in question.
- Ownership: Defendants can fight larceny charges by proving they legally owned the property.
- Mistake of Fact: A defense lawyer could argue that their client mistakenly took someone else’s property, such as by picking up an item they believed was theirs.
- Valuation of Property: In some cases, the defense can reduce the grading of a larceny charge by proving that the stolen property had a lower value.
Contact a Criminal Defense Attorney Today to Learn More About Grand Larceny Charges in Nevada
If you face grand larceny charges in Las Vegas, you need experienced legal counsel to protect your rights, freedom, and future. Contact De Castroverde Law Group Criminal & Immigration today for a confidential consultation with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer. Our team can discuss your legal options for fighting the charges and pursuing a favorable resolution.