Legal Definitions - larceny

Larceny is a legal term for the crime of stealing. It occurs when someone:

• Unlawfully takes (without permission or legal right)
• And carries away (moves, even a short distance)
• Another person's personal property (items that can be moved, not land or buildings)
• With the specific intention of permanently depriving the owner of that property.

In simpler terms, larceny is the act of taking someone else's movable belongings with the intent to keep them forever, without the owner's consent.

Examples of Larceny:

• Example 1: Shoplifting a Watch

  A customer walks into a jewelry store, discreetly removes a watch from a display case, places it in their pocket, and leaves the store without paying. The customer intends to keep the watch for themselves.

  How this illustrates larceny: The customer unlawfully took the watch (without purchasing it), carried it away (by putting it in their pocket and leaving the store), it was the store's personal property, and the customer clearly had the intent to permanently deprive the store of its watch.

• Example 2: Taking a Bicycle from a Public Rack

  Someone sees an unlocked bicycle parked at a public bike rack. They get on the bicycle and ride away, planning to use it as their own.

  How this illustrates larceny: The individual unlawfully took the bicycle (it wasn't theirs), carried it away (by riding it off), it was someone else's personal property, and their action demonstrates an intent to permanently deprive the owner of their bicycle.

• Example 3: Stealing a Wallet from a Desk

  During a party at a friend's house, a guest notices a wallet sitting on a bedroom desk. When no one is looking, the guest picks up the wallet, puts it in their bag, and leaves the party, intending to keep the money and discard the wallet.

  How this illustrates larceny: The guest unlawfully took the wallet (it belonged to someone else), carried it away (by putting it in their bag and leaving), it was personal property, and their actions show an intent to permanently deprive the owner of their wallet and its contents.