New York City Theft Crimes Defense Attorney

Lawyer in Manhattan and The Bronx for Clients Charged with Petit or Grand Larceny

Each year, the New York Police Department (NYPD) makes more than 100,000 arrests for theft-related crimes. When you add in the theft arrests in the counties that comprise the New York metro area, the number is much higher. Under New York law, theft crimes are known as "larceny"—either petit or grand larceny, depending on the value of the stolen property and how the theft took place.

At The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC, we know that when you are facing larceny charges, you could be subject to very serious penalties for a conviction. In addition to fines, probation, and possible jail time, a conviction will also leave you with a permanent mark on your criminal history. Our team realizes that a criminal record could make the rest of your life significantly more difficult. The good news is that we are here to help you protect your rights and your future, no matter how serious the charges against you might be.

Understanding Larceny Charges in Brooklyn and Queens

Section 155.05 of the New York Penal Law defines the offense of larceny as wrongfully taking, obtaining, or withholding another person's property with the intent of depriving that person of the property. Theft or larceny can be committed by taking another's property outright or by means of:

• Deception or false pretenses
• Embezzlement
• Issuing bad checks
• Keeping lost or misplaced property without good faith attempts to locate the owner
• False promises
• Extortion or blackmail

New York law recognizes many different degrees of larceny, beginning with petit larceny, sometimes referred to as petty theft. Petit larceny refers to the theft of property valued at $1,000.00 or less. The offense includes most cases of shoplifting and retail theft, and it is a Class A misdemeanor. A conviction could lead to up to one (1) year in jail, but options are often available to keep first-time offenders out of jail.

Grand larceny is prosecuted as a felony in New York State, and the level of felony will depend on the value of the property in question and other factors of the alleged crime. Fourth-degree grand larceny, for example, is a Class E felony that can be charged for stealing property valued at more than $1,000.00 but not more than $3,000.00. Grand larceny in the fourth degree can also be charged for any alleged theft of a motor vehicle, credit card, firearm, or other specific items, as well as for the alleged theft of property directly from the body of another, such as purse snatching.

Charges for grand larceny can range all the way up to grand larceny in the first degree. First-degree grand larceny is a Class B felony that refers to the theft of property valued at more than $1 million.

Trusted Mt. Vernon Counsel for Other Theft-Related Crimes

Theft or larceny charges are often filed in connection with other offenses such as burglary and robbery, and there is often a great deal of confusion regarding the differences between the crimes. Burglary is generally considered a property crime, and it is defined in New York as unauthorized entering or remaining on another's property with the intent to commit a crime, including theft. There are three degrees of burglary offenses, and each one is a felony that can be charged in addition to any larceny charges you might be facing.

Robbery is often considered to be a violent crime as much as a property crime. New York law defines robbery as taking property from another through the use or threat of force. Robbery charges are always felonies, and the severity of the charge will increase if the victim was injured or a weapon was used.

Rely On Our Experience

Gregory J. Watford is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has been practicing criminal law for over 25 years. Before becoming a lawyer, he spent more than a decade in law enforcement. Having worked as both a criminal investigator and an assistant prosecutor, Mr. Watford has seen the inner workings of the New York justice system, from crime scenes to the courtroom. He knows the tricks and tactics that district attorneys will use in pursuit of a conviction in a theft case, and he has the knowledge and resources to counter them. Mr. Watford and the rest of the team at The Law Firm of Gregory J. Watford, Esq., PLLC are committed to helping you find the best possible outcome for your unique case.

Call 646-580-6675 Today

If you have been charged with larceny or any other theft crime in New York City, contact our office. Call 646-580-6675 for a confidential consultation today. Our firm serves clients in New York County, Kings County, Queens County, Bronx County, Westchester County, Nassau County, Rockland County, and the surrounding areas.