Larceny charges in Tennessee

On Behalf of The Law Office of Massey McClusky Fuchs & Ballenger | Sep 11, 2024 | Criminal Defense |

Larceny is a term that describes unlawful theft of physical property. This concern is treated as a serious criminal offense in Tennessee. Larceny charges can range from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the value of the stolen property and the circumstances of the offense.

In Tennessee, larceny is categorized into different levels based on the value of the property that has allegedly been stolen.

Classification of offenses in Tennessee

If the value of the allegedly stolen property is $1,000 or less, a charge is classified as petty theft. This means that corresponding charges will generally be treated as Class A misdemeanors. This offense carries penalties of up to nearly one year in jail, along with fines of up to $2,500.

When the allegedly stolen property exceeds a value of $1,000, larceny in Tennessee becomes felony theft. The nature of felony charges depends on the value of the allegedly stolen goods:

Class E Felony: This offense consists of theft of property valued at between $1,000 and $2,500. Penalties include one to six years in prison and fines up to $3,000.
Class D Felony: This offense consists of theft of property valued at between $2,500 and $10,000. Penalties include two to 12 years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
Class C Felony: This offense consists of theft of property valued at between $10,000 and $60,000. Penalties include three to 15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Class B Felony: This offense consists of theft of property valued at $60,000 or more. This is the most serious larceny charge, with penalties ranging from eight to 30 years in prison and fines of up to $25,000.

Several factors can impact the severity of larceny charges in Tennessee. For instance, prior convictions can result in enhanced penalties, especially for repeat offenders. Additionally, the method of theft, such as using force or breaking into a home or vehicle, may result in more serious charges than those detailed above.

Defending against larceny charges requires a skilled legal strategy. Common defenses include arguing lack of intent to permanently deprive the owner, proving that the defendant had a rightful claim to the property and/or showing that the value of the stolen property was lower than initially alleged.