New York law states that if you steal or are involved in the theft of property worth $1,000 and up, then it is grand larceny. This crime, which covers a range of theft-related offenses, can send you to prison for up to 25 years, depending on the value of the stolen item, whether or not you used violence to carry out the act, and the existence of a prior record.

Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree

A Class E felony, you could be charged with Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree if you steal property worth $1,000 or more, or the property you took is one of the following:

• A public record or classified scientific material
• An instrument used to steal telephone access
• A credit or debit card
• A firearm
• A motor vehicle worth over $100
• A religious document worth at least $100
• Liquefied ammonia or another substance used to make methamphetamine

It is also Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree if you took the property from someone’s person (e.g. picked their pocket) or obtained it via extortion. If convicted, you could spend up to four years in a state prison even if you had a previously clean record.

Grand Larceny in the Third Degree

If the item(s) allegedly stolen were valued at $3,000 and up or you were accused of taking the contents of an ATM machine,  the charge becomes Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, an offense that can send you to prison for anywhere from two to seven years, depending on your previous record.

Grand Larceny in the Second Degree

Grand Larceny in the Second Degree occurs when:

• The stolen property exceeds $50,000 in value
• The property was extorted by making the victim fear personal harm or property damage
• A public servant leads a victim to believe that they will abuse their authority to harm the person if they don’t comply with the demands

A Class C felony, it can be punished by up to 15 years in prison, with the more severe penalties being applied if the crime contained an element of violence.

Grand Larceny in the First Degree

The most severe of the grand larceny offenses, Grand Larceny in the First Degree is a Class B felony involving the theft of property worth $1,000,000 or more. If convicted, you could spend up to 25 years in a New York state prison.

If you have been charged with a larceny offense in New York, it is imperative that you contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can collect the facts of your case and argue for dropped charges or an acquittal or, at the very least, reduced charges or sentencing. An attorney with a strong background in defending grand larceny charges is your best chance at a positive outcome in the courtroom and a shot at moving forward with your life. Julie Rendelman is a New York City criminal defense attorney with more than 20 years of experience. She has also worked as a prosecutor in the Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney’s office. Call 212-951-1232 for a free consultation.