Larceny

Also known as: Theft, Stealing

In one sentence

The unlawful taking and carrying away of someone else's personal property with intent to keep it permanently.

Plain English

Larceny is the legal term for theft or stealing. It means taking something that belongs to someone else without permission and intending to keep it for yourself. The property must be tangible (you can touch it), and the taking must be intentional. Larceny is different from robbery, which involves force or threat, and different from burglary, which involves breaking into a building. Penalties vary based on the value of the stolen property.

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Example

A customer walks into a store, puts a jacket in her bag without paying, and leaves. She is arrested and charged with larceny. The store owner did not consent to her taking the jacket, and she intended to keep it.

Used in a sentence

“He was charged with larceny after security footage showed him pocketing merchandise without paying.”

Related terms

breaking and entering

Unlawfully entering a building or dwelling with intent to commit a crime.

Robbery

Taking property from someone by force, threat, or intimidation.

Burglary

Unlawfully entering a building with intent to commit a crime inside.

Malice

The intentional desire to cause harm or the reckless disregard for the consequences of one's actions.

accomplice liability

Legal responsibility for a crime based on helping or encouraging someone else to commit it.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

Expungement

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.