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Petit Larceny

The criminal defense attorneys at The Blanch Law Firm have over 50 years of combined experience fighting charges of Petit Larceny and related offense on behalf of their clients.

Petit Larceny Defined

Larceny means a wrongful taking of property. According to Penal Law Section (or Article) 155.05, larceny occurs when, with intent to deprive an owner of personal property, an individual appropriates or unlawfully withholds another’s property.

The severity of larceny charges varies based on the value of the property stolen. Petit Larceny simply means unlawfully taking property of lesser–or smaller (hence the term “Petit” Larceny)–value, usually a minor amount of money. In New York, theft of under $1,000 is charged as Petit Larceny, while theft of $1,000 of more brings about a charge of Grand Larceny.

According to Penal Law Section (or Article) 155.25, Petit Larceny (defined as “stealing property”) is a misdemeanor. Generally speaking, Petit Larceny charged as the sole count is unlikely to result in a jury trial. In practice, a bench trial is ordered, meaning that the judge alone sits also as the jury to reach a verdict.

Aggressive Defense for Petit Larceny Charges

The Blanch Law Firm is well-known for taking a proactive approach to Petit Larceny cases. Our attorneys will file pre-trial motions (requiring the judge to rule on issues about the defendant’s statements or an eyewitness identification of the defendant or other issues raised in evidentiary hearings) and, where possible may obtain dismissal of all charges prior to trial.

If you are facing a charge that you consider to be minor, such as Petit Larceny, don’t discount the seriousness of the ordeal you are about to go through. If you’ve been arrested, that means you can be prosecuted and convicted of a crime. If convicted, you will have a criminal record for the rest of your life, which will show up every time an employer or other investigator chooses to perform a background check on you. You may be prevented from holding certain jobs, or rising in your career path, or living in certain places where the right to discriminate against convicts exists.

Your Best Defense is a Strong Offense

Fighting criminal charges means that you may spend months–possibly even years–making untiring efforts, time-consuming court appearances, and possibly a lot of money, to extricate yourself from the coils of the law. Living through the Criminal Law Process can be a nightmare. Even at arraignment (when the judge formally announces in court charges that were filed against you), the decisions you make at that time will affect every future stage in the criminal proceedings.

For example, at arraignment, the judge decides whether or not to set bail. This is the stage at which attorneys from the Blanch Law Firm can do a great deal for you. If bail is set, you must post a bond, which means a cash payment that is held by the state to insure your return to court, or you will continue to be held in police custody. Obviously, you are in a better position to defend yourself legally if you are not in jail. However, the prosecution knows that they are in a better position to get you to plead guilty if you remain in custody and will take a plea just to get out of jail. So the prosecutor will argue vigorously that the judge should set bail in an amount you cannot hope to pay and set other conditions on your release that are burdensome.

We Can Help

The Blanch Law Firm will skillfully advocate on your behalf to modify the initially harsh position adopted by a judge about the amount of bail and other conditions of release, thereby effectuating an outcome more favorable to you.

To arrange an initial consultation, Contact The Blanch Law Firm by calling 646-797-4820.