Top Richmond VA Petit Larceny Defense Lawyer • 1500+ Reviews
Stealing is a crime. If you take something from someone else in Richmond 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” means small in French. Petit larceny is criminalized by Va. Code § 18.2-96 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. Richmond VA aggressively prosecutes these cases. Contact a top rated Richmond VA petit larceny lawyer for help!
Experienced Richmond VA Criminal Law Trial Attorneys Fighting For You
Riley & Wells Attorneys-At-Law is an established local Richmond VA criminal defense firm that specializes in defending petit larceny criminal cases. Our Richmond Virginia 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 Richmond 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 Richmond.
Most Rated Richmond Petit Larceny Defense Attorneys
Free Richmond VA Consultation with Top Rated Petit Larceny Lawyers
The biggest issue with representing yourself after being accused of petit larceny in Richmond VA is lack of experience. Petit larceny cases are adversarial in nature and most folks in this situation lack experience on how to either handle a police encounter or to present valid defenses before the Richmond Courts. Our top rated Richmond VA petit larceny lawyers know the best tactics for obtaining the best results. Our Richmond theft lawyers spend hours in the Richmond VA Courts every week and are familiar with the habits of the different judges who preside over these cases. This local knowledge is invaluable when defending a Richmond VA petit larceny case.
More Richmond Criminal Defense Pages
For the statewide overview of our criminal defense practice, visit our Virginia criminal lawyer page (opens in a new tab).
Richmond VA Petty Larceny Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers
Super Lawyers is a lawyer rating service of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas including petty larceny defense who have attained the highest degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This organization recognizes the top lawyers nationwide across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes. Our Richmond VA petty larceny defense lawyers have been recognized by this publication since 2009. No more than five percent of the Virginia lawyers are named to this list and no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. This recognition is merit based. Retain a top rated Richmond VA petty larceny attorney who has been recognized with this elite award.
Local Richmond VA Petit Larceny Defense Lawyers Make The Difference
Our Richmond VA petit lawyers represent clients accused of theft offenses before the Richmond VA Courts EVERY week. We believe clients benefit from this experience. Experienced Richmond 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 Richmond VA petit larceny criminal accusation is not the same as a conviction.
Legal Elite Richmond Virginia Petit Larceny Lawyer
Virginia Business is dedicated to covering petit larceny legal activity in Richmond. In cooperation with the Virginia Bar Association, top Richmond petit larceny attorneys have been recognized as Legal Elite since 2000. There are over 23,000 legal practitioners in Virginia. Legal Elite recognitions are awarded to approximately 1400 attorneys each year. This is an exclusive list of top rated individuals who have been recognized by their peers for excellence. Only outstanding and experienced professionals are recognized by Virginia Business for being Legal Elite. A lawyer cannot purchase his or her way in to being recognized as a member of the Virginia Business Legal Elite community. Retain a Legal Elite Richmond VA petit larceny lawyer for your case.
Shoplifting in Richmond is a Form of Larceny
Shoplifting is a property crime in Richmond VA and is punished like larceny. It is the theft of goods from a Richmond 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 Richmond store or going past the line of cash registers. Return fraud and swapping price labels from items are other forms of shoplifting.
Richmond Petit Larceny Defenses Even if You Think You Are Guilty
Petit larceny in Richmond Virginia 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. Top Richmond VA shoplifting attorneys can develop procedural defenses, challenge the evidence, present mitigation evidence and secure attractive plea options to successfully resolve Richmond 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 Richmond shop owner or its loss prevention officer to temporarily detain in individual if they have probable cause.
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11/16/2024 | Updated 3/14/2026