First Degree Grand Larceny is the theft of property worth more than $1 million
What is Grand Larceny in the First Degree?
Simply put, this is the most serious of all New York’s theft charges. To qualify as first-degree grand larceny, a person must steal over $1 million in money or property. The theft can take many forms, and the value of the property is considered cumulatively. For instance, a person who fraudulently opens credit accounts in another person’s name has committed first-degree grand larceny if he acquires $1 million in goods with those accounts, even if the purchases take place over time.
How can a person get charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree?
To many people, it may seem unfathomable to steal over a million dollars of property or money, but first-degree grand larceny is surprisingly common. The media may portray first-degree grand larceny as a white-collar crime committed by elite financial brokers and bankers. In reality, though, a wide variety of activities can result in a first-degree grand larceny charge, many of which happen outside of the financial sector.
In recent years, people have been convicted of first-degree grand larceny in New York State for crimes such as substantial tax evasion, embezzling money from an employer, stealing a truck with over $1 million in goods, and fraudulently billing Medicaid for reimbursements of services that were not provided. It’s not hard to imagine how quickly some of these individuals could have found themselves deeper in the larceny than they ever imagined, with the crime spiraling out of their control.
NY PENAL § 155.42: The Charge of Grand Larceny in the First Degree
The New York State penal code defines this charge as follows:
A person is guilty of grand larceny in the first degree when he steals property and when the value of the property exceeds one million dollars.
What can happen to me if I am charged with Grand Larceny in the First Degree?
This is a class B felony and carries a minimum prison sentence of 1–3 years, and can bring as many as 8 1/3–25 years. With such a range of prison sentences, and with potentially longer sentences for repeat offenders, you need an experienced lawyer who can explain the potential consequences to you, as well as options for your defense. If you are charged with first-degree grand larceny, your lawyer will assess your case and determine the best strategy to defend you against the charge (such as challenging the state’s interpretation of the facts in the case or questioning whether the property in question even rises to the level of first-degree grand larceny). Even if you are convicted, your lawyer can argue for a shorter prison term.
What Should I Do Next?
Grand Larceny in the First Degree is a serious class B felony, and if you are charged with it, you need to consult an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. Don’t say anything to police or prosecutors about the charges. Your Long Island criminal attorney knows how prosecutors in Nassau, Queens, and Suffolk counties handle grand larceny cases, and he can and should represent you in all your dealings with the state.