Petit Larceny and Grand Larceny

Gregory P. Garofalo, Esq. has been practicing criminal law for over 27 years. Over the years, Mr. Garofalo has defended numerous crimes of larceny, both Pettit Larceny & Grand Larceny. Larceny is a crime involving the unlawful taking of the personal property of another person or business. Petit Larceny is for crimes involving less than $1,000 and Grand Larceny is for crimes involving more than $1,000.

Shoplifting is the most common larceny charge and is charged as Petit Larceny (Penal Law 155.25), a class A misdemeanor. A class “A” misdemeanor carries a sentence of up to a year in jail. In addition, the misdemeanor charge requires representation by an attorney to get a good plea bargain. With an attorney, it is unlikely that a first-time offender is given jail time in a plea bargain offer. In fact, in Saratoga County and surrounding upstate counties, prosecutors commonly offer good plea bargains to defendants accused of Petit Larceny and who have never previously been arrested. The prosecutor may offer an Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal ( an “ACOD”) or Disorderly Conduct (PL 240.20 – a violation of the law, not a crime). Additionally, the prosecutors may ask for some sort of community service, for example, five (5) hours to twenty (20) hours, depending on the Judge and/or the prosecutor. Many of these crimes are committed at Walmart, Target, and the like. These crimes may carry some Civil ramifications as well.

A much more serious crime is Grand larceny and is classified as a felony. Examples of Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (NY PL 155.30) are Embezzlement, Credit Card Theft, Pickpocket, or other larceny involving in excess of $1,000 but no more than $3,000. First-time offenders face no minimum sentence, but up to one and one third to four years in prison. Other larceny crimes are Grand larceny in the third degree, PL 155.35, a class D felony; Grand larceny in the second degree, PL 155.40, a class C felony; Grand larceny in the first degree, PL 155.42, a class B felony with various sentencing guidelines.

Gregory P. Garofalo, Esq. is an accomplished criminal defense attorney with over 27 years of experience in this area of the law. Mr. Garofalo represents people throughout Saratoga, Albany, Schenectady, Warren, and Washington Counties, including Ballston Spa, Clifton Park, Halfmoon, Saratoga Springs, Gansevoort, Mechanicville, Wilton, Waterford, Malta, Rotterdam, Albany, Latham, Lake George, Colonie, Schenectady, Glens Falls, and Queensbury, in addition to other locations. Contact the Law Office of Gregory P. Garofalo by phone at (518) 584-1557 or online to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer based in Saratoga County.