Top Henrico County VA Petit Larceny Defense Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
Stealing is a crime. If you take something from someone else and have no intention of returning it, then you can be in trouble. Petit larceny is the unlawful taking of personal property from another. Petit larceny is also referred to as petty larceny. The word “petit” is French for small. Va. Code § 18.2-96 criminalizes petit larceny as a larceny not from the person of another valued at less than $1,000 or as a larceny from a person at a value of less than $5. Petit larceny is a misdemeanor criminal offense except in cases involving a firearm or a third offense. Henrico County aggressively prosecutes these cases. Contact a top rated Henrico County VA petit larceny lawyer for help!
Put our experience to work for you – Let us review your case!
30,000+ Clients Represented
1500+ Client Reviews
60+ Years of Combined Experience
Experienced Henrico VA Criminal Law Trial Attorneys Fighting For You
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Henrico County VA criminal defense firm that specializes in defending petit larceny criminal cases. Our Henrico VA petit larceny lawyers represent clients who have been charged with this type of offense. We zealously defend each client with the goal to achieve the best possible outcome. We are recognized as a “Best Law Firm” by U.S. News & World Report. We have extensive experience with defending petit larceny allegations before the Henrico County Courts. We have over 60 years of combined criminal law experience. We are located a few miles from the Courthouse. Our firm has been positively reviewed more than any other law firm that defends criminal cases in Henrico County.
Top Rated Henrico County Petit Larceny Defense Attorneys
Local Henrico VA Petit Larceny Defense Lawyers Make The Difference
Our Henrico County VA petit lawyers represent clients accused of theft offenses before the Henrico County Courts EVERY week. We believe clients benefit from this experience. Experienced criminal law trial lawyers who are regularly in the same courtrooms before the same Judges develop unique skills that can be used to protect future clients. CAUTION: Not all lawyers are the same. Retain a professional who specializes in criminal defense and has the necessary experience to properly defend your case. There is a lot riding on your case. Some lawyers simply do not possess the skills to defend your case properly. NOTE: A petit larceny criminal accusation is not the same as a conviction.
Shoplifting in Henrico County is a Form of Larceny
Shoplifting is a property crime and is punished like larceny. It is the theft of goods from a retail establishment during business hours. A typical scenario involves concealing a store item on one’s person in pockets, under clothes or in a bag and leaving without paying. A key element of the offense is that the taking is done knowingly. The offense is punishable as petit larceny if the value of the merchandise is less than $1,000. The offense occurs as soon as the item is concealed. Shoplifting does not require leaving the store or going past the line of cash registers. Return fraud and swapping price labels from items are other forms of shoplifting.
Petit Larceny Defenses Even if You Think You Are Guilty
Shoplifting and/or petit larceny requires the taking of personal property without consent and that the taking be done with the intent to deprive the owner of the personal property at issue permanently. Lack of criminal intent can sometimes be insufficient. Consent, duress and ownership issues can create defenses. On the other hand, skilled Henrico County VA shoplifting attorneys can develop procedural defenses, challenge the evidence, present mitigation evidence and secure attractive plea options to successfully resolve Henrico County petit larceny shoplifting cases even if you think you are guilty of the accusation. It is important to note that Va. Code 18.2-105.1 allows a shop owner or its loss prevention officer to temporarily detain in individual if they have probable cause.
Let us review YOUR case. We can help!
6/2/2021 | Updated 12/10/2023