Legal Definitions - simple larceny

Simple larceny refers to the unlawful taking and carrying away of another person's tangible personal property, with the specific intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. It is considered a "simple" form of theft because it does not involve aggravating factors such as the use of force or threats against a person (which would be robbery), or unauthorized entry into a building (which would be burglary).

Here are some examples:

• Example 1: Shoplifting

  A person walks into a grocery store, places a package of expensive cheese into their backpack, and then exits the store without paying for it, intending to consume the cheese at home.

  This illustrates simple larceny because the individual unlawfully took the cheese (tangible personal property), carried it away from the store, and intended to permanently deprive the store of its property, all without using force or threats against anyone.

• Example 2: Taking an Unattended Item

  Someone is walking through a park and sees a high-end smartphone left unattended on a bench. They pick it up, put it in their pocket, and walk away, planning to keep it for themselves.

  This is an example of simple larceny because the individual unlawfully took the smartphone (tangible personal property), carried it away, and had the intent to permanently deprive the owner of their device, without using any force or threats.

• Example 3: Employee Theft of Supplies

  An employee at a large corporation regularly takes company-owned laptop chargers and external hard drives from the supply room for their personal use at home, knowing that these items are not authorized for personal appropriation.

  This demonstrates simple larceny because the employee unlawfully took the laptop chargers and hard drives (tangible personal property belonging to the company), carried them away from the workplace, and intended to permanently keep them for personal use, without permission and without employing force or threats.