The state’s Penal Code establishes six degrees of criminal Theft for allegedly taking someone else’s property with the intent to use it for one’s own benefit and deprive the owner of its benefits. Three of these degrees are misdemeanors, or Petit Larceny, and three of them are felonies, or Grand Larceny.
The six degrees of Theft are based on the total value of property allegedly taken, with higher values leading to more serious charges. Here is a summary of the threshold amounts for degrees of felony Theft in Connecticut, as well as what circumstances could lead to a felony Theft charge regardless of the property’s value.
In general, if you receive a charge of stealing money, goods, or any other form of property in Connecticut that has a combined value of $2,000 or more, you would face a charge of felony Grand Larceny as opposed to misdemeanor Petit Larceny. As established under Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §§ 53a-122 through C.G.S. §§ 53a-124, Larceny in the Third Degree is for values between $2,000 and $10,000, Larceny in the Second Degree covers values between $10,000 and $20,000, and Larceny in the First Degree is the threshold for values in excess of $20,000. The categories for these offenses are, respectively, Class D, Class C, and Class B felonies.
Importantly, Theft of certain types of property is always a felony offense in Connecticut, regardless of the financial value of the stolen property. For example, under C.G.S. § 53a-119c, a first-time offender convicted of stealing a motor vehicle—including construction equipment and farming machines such as tractors—may receive a Class E felony charge, with subsequent offenses increasing the classification of the charge and the severity of associated penalties.
Furthermore, Theft committed through Embezzlement, False Pretenses, or some other form of Fraud is usually treated as a felony, regardless of the financial value of the goods or services allegedly taken. Finally, Theft from inside a building or directly from someone else’s person using a threat of force will generally result in a Burglary or Robbery charge rather than Larceny, both of which are felony offenses.
Regardless of the stolen property value or the circumstances that led to receiving an accusation or charge of felony theft, contacting and retaining skilled legal counsel quickly could make a significant difference in how successfully you can fight these charges in Connecticut. Click here to read what past clients have to say about working with us. Call Mark Sherman Law today to learn what our team could do for you.
