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Grand larceny is a term associated to rank the severity of theft or fraudulently appropriating somebody else’ property. This is distinguished from petit larceny depending on the amount involved in the theft. Each state of the United States has separate set of laws pertaining to this crime. The amount will determine whether the crime is a felony or a misdemeanor. For example theft of property valued at over $1,000,000 is considered to be grand larceny in the first degree, which attracts a jail term of up to 25 years. Similarly, theft of property valued between $1, 000 to $4,999 is considered as a fourth degree larceny which can be sentenced with a prison time of up to four years along with fines imposed. However, each tier of grand larceny is considered as felony and that’s why the punishment for each of them also varies. Grand larceny involving corporate and government entities is often termed as federal larceny and thus is a federal offense. Such offenses attract a jail term of five years in a federal prison along with fine amount ranging between $ 5,000 and $10,000 for separate offense. This article answers some of the frequently asked questions on such crimes and laws governing them. I am on government funded welfare scheme and was charged for grand larceny for stealing clothes for my baby. I can not even afford to hire a criminal lawyer. How do I go about with the trial?
In such a case, in the absence of an attorney, you should consider pleading not guilty. When arraigned, you should inform the court about your inability to hire an attorney. The court would appoint a public defender for you and the court will be adjourned till the next hearing comes up. Now your court appointed attorney could plan a plea agreement which would prevent you from going to the jail and you can then change your plea to guilty in exchange for the plea agreement. One should always work for a plea agreement and then plead guilty to the charges pressed, because it helps in receiving the criminal conviction without a jail term. I was charged with grand larceny at work place and the cops put me in a cell overnight before I was released on bail the next day. They had booked me without reading my Miranda Rights. Then I was served with an arrest warrant for speeding. Now what should I do when my attorney is in no mood to help me out?
It depends on whether you want to take this to trial and contest the charges pressed against you. Once you decide to take this to trail, you need to retain the services of a criminal lawyer as your current attorney is not attentive to your pleas. Once you replace your errant lawyer, your new lawyer should determine how the police violated your Miranda Rights and he/she should bring it up during your suppression hearing. So, it is highly advisable for you to hire a new attorney with whom you can communicate your concern regarding the case. I have already pled to misdemeanor plea bargain in connection with a theft of $ 16,000 between January-March 2010. Now, the cops have found out the theft of another additional amount of $ 18,000 which had happened during June-December 2009. Can they press fresh charges of grand larceny against me for the theft happened in 2009?
If you have pled guilty to the charges pressed against you for the theft of $16,000 between January-March 2010, you could possibly be charged again for larceny if the there are evidence against you for the theft of $18,000 happened between June-December 2009. However, the original charges against you will determine whether to charge you again or not. And to be considered as double jeopardy, the original charges would have to cover the dates of the additional money that was stolen. It means, if you are charged for a larceny between/for 2009 to 2010 and you plea guilty only to the 2010 charges through a plea agreement, you can not be charged for a larceny that was reported in 2009. You could retain the services of a criminal lawyer to have a better understanding about such issues. If you have any questions about issues related grand larceny, you should always ask a criminal lawyer who could assist you on this.
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