Larceny Defense Lawyers in OKC

Oklahoma larceny laws are no doubt necessary to give us the sense of security we need to successfully operate in a civilization of strangers. However, the only thing worse than being the victim of larceny is being falsely labeled a thief. That is why it is important to hire a larceny lawyer to help you navigate this difficult legal process.

Oklahoma Larceny Defined

Larceny is the taking of personal property accomplished by fraud or stealth, and with intent to deprive another thereof.

Furthermore, one who finds lost property under circumstances which gives him or her knowledge or means to inquire into the identity of the true owner may also be charged with larceny if he or she keeps the property without first making a good faith effort to find the true owner and restore possession.

Consequently, larceny charges in Oklahoma are used by the prosecution as a catch-all provision to encompass those instances of theft where force or threat of violence is not used. Due to the broad definition, many individuals in Oklahoma can easily find themselves on the wrong end of a larceny case.

Oklahoma Degrees of Larceny

Oklahoma divides its criminal statutes regarding larceny into two categories: petit larceny and grand larceny. In Oklahoma, grand larceny is larceny committed in either of the following cases:

• When the property taken is of value exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
• When such property, although not of value exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,00.00), is taken from the person of another.

Larceny in all other cases is petit larceny.

Grand Larceny Charges

Grand larceny is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the State Penitentiary based on the value of the property taken:

• If the property is taken from another, includes one or more firearms, or is valued at One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) but less than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00), then the punishment range is up to two (2) years in prison.
  
• If the value of the goods taken is Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00) or more, but less than Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00), then an offender will face imprisonment for up to five (5) years upon conviction.
  
• If the value of the goods is Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) or more, then a conviction can result in up to eight (8) years in prison under the custody and control of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
  

Petit Larceny Charges

Petit larceny, which usually only encompasses situations in which the value of the goods taken is less than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), is punishable by a fine of not less than Ten Dollars ($10.00) or more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court. Moreover, Defendants convicted of either grand larceny or petit larceny in Oklahoma will usually be ordered to pay restitution as well.

Remember though, if the property taken includes firearms (even if valued at less than $1,000.00), you will likely still face grand larceny charges regardless of the total amount of the property.

Obtaining Controlled Dangerous Substance by Larceny

More and more often, we see individuals who try to obtain a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) through larceny. This most commonly occurs when someone steals drugs from a pharmacy. So long as the drugs are not obtained by use of force or fear, the charge will only be larceny of CDS as opposed to Obtaining CDS by Robbery. Although Larceny of CDS is technically a property crime like any other form of larceny, it is classified as a drug crime due to the nature of the property. For more information on this crime and the potential punishment it carries, please read our drug charges page.

Larceny Defense Strategies in Oklahoma

If you or a loved one has been charged with larceny in Oklahoma, time is of the essence. You need an experienced criminal defense attorney, and you need one right now. Call the Law Offices of Adam R. Banner, P.C., and retain an accomplished attorney ready to fight for your rights. Call us today at (405) 778-4800 for a free consultation.

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