When you take another person’s property and unlawfully intending to keep it, you could face charges of larceny or theft. There are two types of theft: Oklahoma City grand larceny and petit larceny in Oklahoma City.
Oklahoma City Grand Larceny vs. Petit Larceny
Petit is French for small, while grand refers to large or big. If you defraud someone of property worth more than $500, you are charged with grand larceny in Oklahoma City.
If you pick property from the person of someone, the law treats the crime as grand larceny irrespective of the worth of the stolen item. Grand larceny is a felony in Oklahoma City.
Petit larceny is all larceny that is not grand larceny.
Also, you should not keep what you find anywhere that does not belong to you if it is possible for you to return it to its owner.
If for instance, you find a laptop with a name and address of the owner, and you fail to return it, you could be charged with larceny if caught. You could be charged with grand larceny if the laptop is worth more than $500, and petit larceny if it is worth less than $500.
Burden of Proof
An Oklahoma City prosecutor must prove the following elements in court to get you convicted of grand larceny.
He or she must prove that you:
- took
- and carried away, no matter how slight the carrying away,
- personal property
- from another person who was in lawful possession of the property
- that was valued at $500 or more, or from their person
- by fraud or stealth
- with the intent to permanently deprive.
Penalties
A conviction of grand larceny in Oklahoma City can result you in you spending time behind bars. The value of the item taken determines the possible jail time. Grand larceny is a felony in Oklahoma City.
If the item considered stolen is worth $500 or more, you can spend up to five years in prison.
Picking an item from the person of someone attracts different penalties. You are also expected to make restitution to the victim of your crime. You may have to pay fines of up to $5,000 as well. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1705
The court has a wide latitude on the punishment it can mete out to you if convicted of grand larceny.
Getting Help
When you are charged with a felony which could lead to you spending up to five years in prison, you must retain an attorney. Facing an experienced prosecutor alone in the mistaken belief that he will help you is not advisable. The prosecutor serves Oklahoma City, and his work is to secure a conviction when you are brought before a court.
To get a fair chance in court, seek the services of an experienced Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney who knows local laws well.
Initial Consultation: Oklahoma City Criminal Defense Attorney
We make it easy for you to get answers to your most pressing questions. There is no cost and no obligation for an initial consultation with our Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney. Call today for answers to your questions.
Our lawyer is well positioned to advise you accordingly, as he has the necessary training and experience. He has the wit and tenacity to match the skill of the Oklahoma City prosecutors.
For a initial consultation, call the Criminal Defense Law Office of Oklahoma City at 405-588-4529 (588-4LAW) today.
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