Massachusetts Larceny Lawyer

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Massachusetts Larceny Attorney

A larceny case can be a very serious matter. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony depending on the circumstances. If you are charged with a Massachusetts theft or Massachusetts larceny, it can be a very serious matter with serious consequences. If you are charged with larceny, it is important to hire an experienced Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer to help you with your case.

What is Larceny in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, larceny is when you unlawfully take, steal or carry away someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive that person of their property. Larceny encompasses various forms of theft and can include simple theft to even more complex schemes that involve embezzlement or fraud.

A theft or larceny case in Massachusetts occurs when somebody takes somebody else’s property without their permission and does not give it back. A larceny by stealing, defined by Massachusetts General Laws chapter 266 § 30, is “the wrongful taking of the personal property of another person, with the intent to deprive that person of such property permanently.”

What are the Penalties for Larceny in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, the penalties for a larceny depend on the circumstances of the larceny, what was stolen and how much was allegedly stolen. For a basic larceny, the threshold for a felony vs. a misdemeanor is $1,200. The threshold used to be $250, however, effective April 13, 2018, the amount went up to $1,200.

Larceny Over $1,200 penalties:

  • a felony charge
  • imprisonment in the state prison for not more than five (5) years
  • a fine of not more than $2,500
  • imprisonment in jail (county House of Correction) for not more than two (2) years

Larceny Under $1,200 penalties:

  • a misdemeanor charge
  • imprisonment in jail (county House of Correction) for not more than one (1) year
  • a fine of not more than $1,500

What are some types of Larceny in Massachusetts?

Larceny is a broad category that is under theft related offenses which encompasses different methods of unlawfully taking or obtaining the property of another person. While the core concept of unlawfully taking someone else’s property is present in all types of larceny, there are different forms and each one has particular characteristics and implications.

  • Larceny by Property or Stealing
    Larceny by property is the most straightforward form of theft and it occurs when you physically take a property that belongs to someone else without their permission and with the intent of keeping the stolen item. This can include:

    • Stealing a wallet or purse
    • Stealing cash
    • Taking items from a store without paying
    • Taking items from someone else’s home or vehicle

    The penalties will depend on the value of the stolen item. If the value exceeds $1,200, the offense will be considered a felony and will result in harsher penalties. If the value is $1,200 or less, it’s usually charged as a misdemeanor.

  • Larceny by False Pretense
    Larceny by False Pretense  involves obtaining someone else’s property through deception or misrepresentation. In these cases, the offender uses false statements that they knew were false to convince a person to voluntarily transfer ownership of their property. This can include:

    • Scamming someone into transferring money
    • A false investment opportunity
    • Posing as a false charity for donations

    Larceny by false pretense is when you convince a person to willingly hand over their property because of a false statement that was told to them, making it distinct from directly taking someone else’s property.

  • Larceny by Embezzlement
    Larceny by Embezzlement occurs when you were entrusted with somebody else’s property or funds, and you unlawfully convert them for your personal use or gain without the consent of the owner. Embezzlement requires that you were in a position of trust and violated it to steal property or money. Commonly, this type of larceny occurs in workplace settings or other situations that involves trust like:

    • An employee that steals funds from a company;
    • A financial advisor that misuses a client’s money;
    • A caretaker that takes another’s finances that they control.
  • Larceny of a Motor Vehicle
    Larceny of a Motor Vehicle is a special type of larceny charge for when you steal another person’s motor vehicle. It is a felony charge. This offense is different from the charge of “Use without Authority” which applies to taking a car without intent to permanently deprive the owner of the car.
  • Larceny by Check
    Larceny by check occurs when someone knowingly 1) writes a bad check, cashes a check drawn, passes a check drawn or delivers a check drawn 2) obtains money, property or services as a result and 3) knew they didn’t have the sufficient funds to cover the check and 4) had an intent to defraud or somebody else.

More Types of Massachusetts Theft and Larceny Cases:

Massachusetts Larceny From the Person

Massachusetts Receiving Stolen Property

Massachusetts Shoplifting

Massachusetts Breaking and Entering

Depending on the circumstances, a conviction for theft or larceny can potentially lead to incarceration, a criminal record, probation and/or hefty fines and fees. The stakes are high, and you need a high-quality Massachusetts theft and larceny lawyer to help fight the charges.

We will help create a unique defense and strategy given your circumstances to help fight your charges. Do not hesitate, contact Ellison Law LLC today at 401-230-5520.

What’s the difference between Larceny, Burglary and Robbery in Massachusetts?

Although larceny, burglary and robbery involve some type of theft, they’re distinct crimes with different definitions and penalties.

  • Larceny is when you unlawfully take someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it. Actions such as shoplifting, embezzlement or stealing valuables are examples of larceny. Larceny can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the property.
  • Burglary can involve when you unlawfully break and enter a dwelling house at night with the intent to commit a felony.
  • Robbery, similar to larceny, is when you steal something from someone but the biggest difference is that when you rob someone you are using force, threat or intimidation. In other words, a robbery requires direct confrontation with the victim while using force to steal something.

Is Larceny a Felony or Misdemeanor in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a larceny charge is classified as both: a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the value of the stolen property and the circumstances of the crime.

If the value of the stolen property is $1,200 or less, then the larceny charge will be considered a misdemeanor. A conviction can result in up to 1 year in the House of Correction but if the value of the stolen property is over $1,200, this offense will be classified as a felony. You will face up to 5 years in the state prison or up to 2 years in the House of Correction.

There are certain types of larcenies, like stealing a motor vehicle or firearm that will be charged as a felony, regardless of the value of the property

How are larceny charges proven in Massachusetts?

In order for the prosecution to secure a larceny conviction in Massachusetts, they must prove the following three elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

  • You unlawfully took or carried away the property. This means that you physically transferred the property from the other person’s control to yours, even just for a slight moment.
  • The property belonged to someone else;
  • You intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property.

A key component of a larceny case is intent. The prosecution has to prove your intention of not returning the property. Some of the evidence they can use is witness testimony, video footage, financial records or communications such as text messages, emails or even calls.

What are the long term consequences of a Larceny Conviction in Massachusetts?

A larceny conviction in Massachusetts can have long-term consequences beyond potential jail time and fines. One of the most serious is ending up with a criminal record. This may affect employment and housing opportunities. If you have a professional license, it could have an adverse impact on your license too.

What are some defenses against a Larceny charge in Massachusetts?

If you’re accused of larceny that doesn’t mean that you will automatically be convicted. There are legal defenses that can be used to challenge the charges, depending on the circumstances.

One defense is a lack of intent, since larceny requires proof that you intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property. If the property was borrowed or mistakenly taken, this could be a potential defense. There could be a claim of ownership if you believed that you had a rightful claim to the property. If the owner gave you consent to take the property, that is another potential defense.

Another defense is mistaken identity. The person who did the theft could be somebody else and not you. A defense attorney may challenge the evidence pointing out the lack of evidence since the prosecution must prove all elements of larceny beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence is weak, circumstantial or based on unreliable witnesses, there could be potential defenses within the evidence that you did not commit a larceny.

What should I do if I receive a larceny charge in Massachusetts?

If you or a loved one is charged with larceny, it is important that you reach out to a Massachusetts theft and larceny lawyer to help you with your case. The attorneys at Ellison Law LLC have larceny lawyers that have helped countless clients with the convictions, transforming that negative moment in their lives into positive outcomes. Do not hesitate to contact us today at 401-230-5520.

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