All too often, citizens of Virginia make the mistake of not taking petit theft (also known as petit larceny) charges seriously. Petit theft charges are relegated to items of a small value that are stolen, and most people think of this as the “shoplifting” charge (petit theft and shoplifting are two separate charges). Even taking something as small as a candy bar or empty wallet can stay on a person’s record for years if they are convicted. At Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C., our dedicated and experienced team is standing by to help when you need a Virginia petit theft defense attorney. Let us help ensure that this violation does not stay on your record for years to come due to a conviction.
When we turn to Virginia Code § 18.2-96, we can see the law specifically states a person commits petit theft if they:
Petit theft from a “person” involves taking something off of another person’s belongings or body. This can include pickpocketing something out of somebody’s backpack or purse, or even taking something out of another person’s hand. However, if the item taken is worth more than $5, the charge will be considered grand larceny, not petit larceny.
Many people confuse petit larceny charges with shoplifting in Virginia, but the reality is that these are separate charges. In Virginia, shoplifting is considered “concealing or taking possession of the merchandise.” When we turn to Virginia Code § 18.2-103, we can see that it is illegal for any person who has not paid the full price of merchandise in the store to:
Petit larceny and shoplifting of items valued at less than $1,000 is considered a Class 1 misdemeanor offense in Virginia. Penalties for a conviction of these offenses could include up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.
However, an additional conviction of a misdemeanor offense for larceny or a substantially similar offense carries a minimum of 30 days in jail. If a person receives a third or subsequent misdemeanor shoplifting or larceny conviction, this will be considered a Class 6 felony offense that could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.
If you or a loved one are facing petit theft charges in Lawrenceville, Emporia, Suffolk, or Courtland, reach out to the team at Randall, Page & Bruch, P.C. as soon as possible. We have the experience and resources necessary to conduct a complete investigation into the charges against you and work to get them reduced or dismissed altogether. Let our criminal lawyer help you to ensure that you do not end up with a criminal record that follows you around for something like petit theft or shoplifting. When you need a Virginia petit theft defense attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or by calling 757-742-6115.
