There are petty crimes and there are serious crimes. A felony is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and carries more severe penalties, such as long-term jail sentencing. Murder, armed robbery and certain kinds of larceny are felonies. Shoplifting a candy bar or making a prank call to 911 is a misdemeanor.
If you've been charged with a criminal offense like larceny, you need to know whether your charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. Both types of crimes are serious, but a felony larceny charge is far worse. If you are arrested and charged with theft, you need to talk with a Charlotte larceny attorney right away.
North Carolina Felony Larceny Charges
North Carolina General Statute §14-72 outlines the definition of felony larceny and the possible consequences. Here are the criteria that make stealing a felony as opposed to a misdemeanor:
- The stolen goods are valued at more than $1,000
- The receiving or possession of stolen goods valued at more than $1,000 while knowing or suspecting the goods were stolen
The following criteria apply regardless of the value of the property in question.
- Theft of property from another person
- Theft of any explosive or incendiary device or substance, but not including fireworks, gasoline, butane gas, natural gas, or any explosive or incendiary properties that serve legitimate non-destructive and non-lethal uses
- Theft of any firearm
- Theft of any record or paper in the custody of the North Carolina State Archives
- Theft of property when you have at least four prior theft or similar convictions
Punishment for Felony Larceny in North Carolina
Felony larceny in North Carolina is classified as a Class H felony. If convicted, you could be sentenced to jail for up to 25 months. The length of your sentence depends on the details of your case, your criminal history and whether you represent yourself or hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.
In addition to the statutory penalties of a conviction for felony larceny, you can also face a range of consequences for years to come. A felony conviction can impact your ability to get educational assistance or be considered for a job. The conviction may prevent you from obtaining certain professional licenses or otherwise hinder your quality of life.
You could be rejected for that new apartment, the loan application for your next car and even have your child custody arrangements revised—all because of a felony larceny conviction. Perhaps worst of all, your record will indicate that you are untrustworthy and will be publicly available for anyone to see.
Don't Let a Felony Larceny Charge Ruin Your Life
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you minimize the impact of a felony larceny conviction and may be able to have the case dismissed or charges reduced. Call The Law Offices of Jason H. Reece in Charlotte at 704-714-8888 or fill out this contact form for a free consultation.
