Understanding larceny and theft are essential to any defense if you have been charged with one of these crimes. Use these questions and answers to learn more about these crimes.

If I Borrowed Property and Didn’t Return It, Can I Face Larceny Charges?

A major factor in a larceny or theft charge is intent. Therefore, the answer to this question depends on your particular situation. If you borrowed a friend or neighbor’s property and genuinely forgot to return it, a larceny charge probably won’t stick. However, if you borrowed property and didn’t return int on purpose, you could face conviction of larceny. For example, if the lender reminded you that you borrowed an item and they want it back, and you explicitly say that you have no intention of returning it, the lender could file a larceny charge.

If I Borrowed Property But Later Returned It, Can I Face a Larceny Charge?

Again, this will depend on the situation that you find yourself in. If you borrowed property with the knowledge of the property’s owner and return it by a time that you and the owner previously agreed on, they probably won’t press charges. However, if you only return the property under the threat of charges, but you did not intend to return it, you could face a larceny charge. In many cases like this one, prosecution is difficult.

If I Steal Something as a Joke, Can I Face Larceny Charges?

As I have mentioned, larceny occurs when one person deliberately intends to permanently deprive an owner of their property. If you take something as a practical joke, your lawyer might argue that you were not trying to deprive the owner of the property. This situation, like many others, will depend on the circumstances of your case, the facts presented in court, and the determination of a judge or jury. Some judges or juries might find it hard to believe that even if you stole something as a joke, that you genuinely did not realize that taking it would deprive the owner of it. If this is the case, you could get convicted of larceny.

Can a Minor Face Larceny Charges?

As discussed in the “larceny and juveniles” section, juveniles can indeed face larceny charges, however, in many cases, they face less severe punishments than adults.

What is the First Step I Should Take After Getting Charged With Larceny?

The very first thing that you should do if you get charged with larceny is to contact a criminal defense lawyer. You should not give statements to the police without a lawyer present, even if you believe the charge is just a misunderstanding. A lawyer can help you navigate police questioning and build a case to defend yourself to ensure that you get a proper defense in court.

For more information, get help from an attorney.