Las Vegas Grand Larceny Lawyer

Under Nevada state law, an individual can be charged with larceny when they are accused of intentionally stealing or otherwise taking personal property owned by another person over a certain value. This serious crime can result in imprisonment of up to ten years, so it is critical that you take all steps to protect your rights.

If you have been charged with grand larceny in Las Vegas, then there’s no time to waste in mounting a vigorous defense. Reach out to the Las Vegas grand larceny lawyers at Adras & Altig to discuss your legal options at absolutely no cost to you. We will review the circumstances of your case and craft a solid legal strategy on your behalf. Contact us today for a free initial case review.

What is Grand Larceny?

Grand larceny is a legal term used to describe the theft of property that is valued over a certain amount. It differs from petit larceny, which usually involves the theft of property of a low value.

If you have been arrested and charged with grand larceny in Nevada, then contact our seasoned criminal defense attorneys at Adras & Altig today to discuss your case and evaluate your legal options.

What is Considered Grand Larceny Under Nevada Law?

Under Nevada law, an individual who steals, takes, carries away, leads away, or drives away another individual’s property without that individual’s consent has committed larceny. This crime is classified as grand larceny if the property’s value is at least $1,200. If the property’s value is below $1,200, then the crime would instead be classified as petit, or petty, larceny. Petty larceny carries less severe punishments than grand larceny in Nevada.

Examples of Grand Larceny

Nevada Revised Statute 205.220 provides several detailed descriptions of types of behavior that may constitute grand larceny, including:

• Stealing property that belongs to another individual, if the property has a minimum value of $1,200 or more
• Carrying away bedding, furniture, and other property from a hotel room or vacation rental that has a minimum worth of $1,200 and doesn’t belong to the lodger
• Converting another person’s real property into personal property, if the real property had a value of at least $1,200 and was taken without the owner’s permission
• Using a debit/credit/ATM card or other device to take money out of a financial institution that does not belong to the individual
• Transferring money that the individual is not entitled to from someone else’s financial account or payment card
• Stealing or taking away domesticated animals that are owned by another person and have an aggregate value of at least $1,200
• Stealing, leading, driving, or enticing away livestock that does not rightfully belong to the individual

Marking and branding livestock that doesn’t rightfully belong to an individual to steal or defraud others also qualifies as grand larceny, as does altering marks or brands to prevent identification.

More concrete examples of grand larceny that occur in Las Vegas include:

• Shoplifting items that are worth more than $1,200
• Stealing jewelry worth more than $1,200
• Absconding with casino room property totaling at least $1,200
• Removing fixtures or copper wire worth at least $1,200

Penalties for Grand Larceny in Nevada

A conviction on grand larceny charges can come with severe penalties, including prison time, steep fines, and a criminal record, even for a first offense grand larceny charge.

In Nevada, a conviction for grand larceny may come with the following penalties:

• If the property in question is valued at less than $5,000, the guilty party has committed a category D felony. Per Nevada state law (NRS 193.130), Category D felonies are punishable by one to four years in prison, as well as a fine of up to $5,000.
• If the property is valued at more than $5,000 but less than $25,000, the guilty party has committed a category C felony. Category C felonies in Nevada are punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of not more than $10,000.
• If the property is valued between $25,000 and $100,000, the guilty party has committed a category B felony. Category B grand larceny felonies in Nevada are punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
• If the property is valued at $100,000 or more, the guilty party has committed a category B felony. Under Nevada’s grand larceny statute, the defendant will face between one and 20 years in prison and must pay a fine not to exceed $15,000.
• If the property in question is a firearm, the guilty party has committed grand larceny of a firearm. This category B felony can result in a prison sentence of between one and 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000.
• If the property in question is a motor vehicle worth less than $3,500, the guilty party has committed a category C felony, punishable by a prison sentence of between one and five years and a fine of up to $10,000.
• If the property in question is a motor vehicle valued at $3,500 or more, the guilty party has committed a category B felony and faces a prison sentence of between one and 10 years and may have to pay a fine of no more than $10,000.

If you are convicted of grand larceny in Nevada, the court will also order you to pay restitution to the victim of the crime.

While a grand larceny charge is serious and the consequences are severe, a prosecutor might be willing to drop or reduce the charges to petty larceny, depending on the circumstances of your case. Your chances of having your charges reduced are greater if you don’t have any prior criminal convictions and you pay full restitution to the victim or victims.

A grand larceny conviction can negatively impact your life in many ways, even after you serve your sentence. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced, aggressive grand larceny attorney on your side, fighting to reduce the charges against you or have them dismissed entirely.

Defenses for Grand Larceny Charges in Las Vegas

If you have been charged with grand larceny, then it is imperative to speak to an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible so they can begin devising an effective defense. Some of the defenses that a Nevada criminal defense lawyer may raise to fight your grand larceny charges include:

• You owned the property that you are charged with stealing or taking – If you co-own a piece of property and then have a falling out with the other owner and take the property with you, the other owner may accuse you of grand larceny. But since you co-own the piece of property, you could not have stolen it.
• You didn’t intend to steal the property you took – In some cases, people mistakenly take other people’s property without the intention of doing so. For instance, if you are in an airport’s baggage claim area and accidentally pick up a bag that looks similar to yours but isn’t actually yours, then there likely wouldn’t be grounds for a grand larceny charge because you did not intend to take someone else’s property.
• The value of the property you took was less than the $1,200 grand larceny amount in Nevada – In some cases, defendants are charged with grand larceny when they should have been charged with petty larceny instead. This is often due to an incorrect calculation of the property’s value.
• The police’s search was illegal – If the police fail to follow all the mandated laws when searching for evidence, this misconduct could be grounds for case dismissal.

If you have been charged with grand larceny, it is critical that you speak with a criminal defense attorney at Adras & Altig at your earliest convenience. We can explain how to beat a grand larceny charge, based on your specific circumstances.

Can Grand Larceny Charges be Dropped in Nevada?

Grand larceny charges can be dropped under certain circumstances. For instance, if police unlawfully searched your home, your attorney may be able to file a motion to suppress any evidence that was recovered due to unlawful activity. This may leave the prosecutor without a winnable case and could result in charges being dropped.

There are other scenarios in which the charges against you could potentially be dropped, or at the very least reduced — which is why it is so important to work with an experienced grand larceny lawyer who will consider every possible defense that might work in your favor.

Talk to a Grand Larceny Attorney in Las Vegas, NV Today

If you have been charged with grand larceny, you have a right to a strong defense. The Las Vegas grand larceny attorneys at Adras & Altig have dedicated their careers to protecting the constitutional rights of individuals who have been charged with crimes in our community. We pride ourselves on our personal commitment to our clients and our team-first attitude.

Time is of the essence when you’ve been charged with larceny or another crime. Our attorneys are ready to defend you in court, negotiate with prosecutors on your behalf, and work tirelessly to safeguard your constitutional rights. Reach out to one of our dedicated criminal defense attorneys today to discuss your case and evaluate your legal options during a free initial case evaluation. Call us or contact us online to get started.