If you’ve been arrested for a larceny crime, it’s important to make immediate contact with a criminal defense attorney. An experienced criminal attorney can explain the statutes and determine how best to defend you against a larceny charge.
What if You Didn’t Know it was a Crime?
The expression “ignorance of the law is no excuse” isn’t just an old saying. It’s a legal standard that’s been examined over time. When a law enforcement officer charges you with a crime, they don’t have to ask if you understood that it was a crime. They simply look at the facts and the statutes and they make a decision.
Connecticut General Statutes, Chapter 952, §53.a-119 defines 18 larceny crimes. You might easily recognize Embezzlement, Extortion, Shoplifting, and other outrageous actions as known crimes. The list of crimes also includes a few behaviors that you might simply consider bad judgment. These larceny crimes seem more like a lack of common sense than criminal but they are crimes nonetheless.
- Acquiring property lost, mislaid or delivered by mistake: Some people believe that it’s okay to keep an item delivered to their door by mistake. If the property belongs to someone else, keeping it is a crime.
- Library theft: Stealing or defacing a book so as to render it unusable is bad behavior but also a larceny crime.
- Airbag fraud: If you install, sell or resell a nonfunctioning or counterfeit airbag, it’s a larceny crime.
Classes and Penalties for Larceny
Connecticut Statutes list 6 degrees of larceny crimes. If you’re convicted of larceny, the value of the property stolen is a key factor in determining your penalty.
- 53a-122, First Degree, Class B Felony: Involves Extortion, property valued in excess of $20,000., a motor vehicle valued in excess of $20,000., defrauding a public community. Penalty: Imprisonment 1 to 20 years, fines up to $15,000.
- 52a-123, Second Degree, Class C Felony: Involves a motor vehicle valued in excess of $10,000, property or service valued in excess of $10,000., taken from “the person of another,” defrauding a public community for property valued under $2,000., embezzlement and other crimes against a conserved person or person over age 60., theft of telecommunications property that causes a service interruption. Penalty: Imprisonment 1 to 10 years, fines up to $10,000.
- 53a-124, Third Degree, Class D Felony: Involves a motor vehicle valued under $10,000., property or service in excess of $2,000. Value, a public record or instrument, proprietary or “secret” work products. Penalty: Imprisonment up to 5 years, fines up to $5,000.
- 53a-125, Fourth Degree, Class A Misdemeanor: Involving property or service in excess of $1,000. Value. Penalty: Imprisonment up to 1 year, fine up to $2,000.
- 53a-125a, Fifth Degree, Class B Misdemeanor: Involving property or service in excess of $500. Value. Penalty: Imprisonment up to 6 months, fines up to $1,000.
- 53a-125b, Sixth Degree, Class C Misdemeanor: Involving property or services under $500. Value. Penalty: Imprisonment up to 3 months, fines up to $500.
Criminal Attorney In Connecticut
When you’re arrested for a larceny crime, you enter an efficient criminal justice system. Their sole purpose is to punish you and they’re good at it. At Sadler Law Group, we take immediate steps to tailor your defense and protect your future. Contact us at (203) 951-1360 to schedule a consultation.
