Theft & Larceny

Charged with theft or larceny?

A theft charge is really a charge against your reputation — it signals dishonesty to employers and courts. Attorney Reinhardt defends larceny cases with an eye on both the case and your record.

Request a Free Consultation Call (978) 872-9410

What's at stake

In Massachusetts, larceny (G.L. c. 266, § 30) is graded by the value of what was allegedly taken. Larceny of property worth more than $1,200 is "grand larceny," a felony that can be prosecuted in Superior Court and carries state-prison exposure; below that threshold it is a misdemeanor — but still a crime of dishonesty on your record.

Theft charges cover a wide range of conduct: shoplifting (§ 30A), larceny by check, larceny by false pretenses, and receiving stolen property (§ 60). Because these are "crimes of moral turpitude," a conviction can be uniquely damaging to employment, professional licensing, and immigration status — often more than the sentence itself.

How it works

How we defend a theft charge

Value, intent, and identity are all contestable — and often the difference between a felony, a misdemeanor, and a dismissal.

01

Step 1

Test the value and the grading

We challenge how the alleged value was calculated, which can move a case below the felony threshold entirely.
02
Step 2

Challenge intent and identity

Larceny requires a specific intent to permanently deprive. Misunderstandings, mistaken identity, and claims of right are real defenses.
- Can the Commonwealth prove intent to steal?
- Is the alleged value actually over $1,200?
- Was the identification reliable?
03

Step 3

Pursue diversion and restitution

For first offenders, we pursue diversion, continuances without a finding, and restitution-based resolutions that avoid a conviction.
04

Step 4

Negotiate or try the case

We work to protect your record — and take the case to trial when the evidence should be tested.

Theft & larceny questions

What makes larceny a felony in Massachusetts?

Generally, larceny of property valued over $1,200 is charged as grand larceny, a felony. At or below that amount it is a misdemeanor. How the value is calculated is often disputable — and that dispute can change the entire case.

It was a first-time shoplifting charge — do I have options?

Often, yes. First-time theft cases frequently resolve through diversion, a continuance without a finding, or restitution — dispositions designed to keep a conviction off your record. The right path depends on the facts.

Why is a theft conviction such a big deal?

Larceny is a "crime of dishonesty." Even a small case can follow you on background checks for jobs, housing, and licensing, and can carry serious immigration consequences. That is exactly why it is worth defending.