Oklahoma Larceny Attorneys

Larceny in Oklahoma: A Complete Legal Guide

Larceny is the legal term for theft, defined as the act of taking another individual's property without any intention of ever giving it back. In Oklahoma, like most other states, larceny also encompasses the act of keeping for oneself another person's lost property despite having knowledge of who the real owner is or having the means to find out who the property belongs to.

Larceny is distinguished from other theft-related crimes in important ways:

• Robbery includes the use or threat of force
• Burglary involves unlawfully entering a home or other property in order to take something
• Larceny is the taking of someone else's property from a location other than their home and without the use of force

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Classification of Larceny Offenses

Oklahoma law divides larceny into two main categories based on the stolen property's value and the circumstances surrounding the act.

Petit Larceny (Petty Theft)

Petit larceny represents the lowest level of theft offenses in Oklahoma. This classification applies when:

• A person has stolen property valued at less than $500

Penalties for Petit Larceny:

• Misdemeanor offense
• Fine ranging from $10 to $500
• County jail imprisonment of up to 6 months
• Both fine and jail time may be imposed

Grand Larceny

Grand larceny is a more serious theft offense that occurs when a person commits either of the following:

• Takes property of another person valued at more than $500
• Takes property directly from the person of another, regardless of the property's value

Penalties for Grand Larceny:

Grand larceny is classified as a felony in Oklahoma, carrying more severe punishments:

Standard Grand Larceny:

• County jail sentence up to one year (for stolen property valued at $500 or lower taken from a person)
• State Penitentiary prison sentence up to five years (for stolen property valued at $500 or higher)
• Fine up to $5,000
• Order to pay restitution to reimburse the victim for all losses

Enhanced Penalties:

• Residential or vessel theft: Up to eight years if the grand larceny occurred in any residential home or vessel
• Nighttime person-to-person theft: Up to ten years in the Oklahoma State Penitentiary if the grand larceny was taken from another person and occurred at night

Specific Types of Larceny

Oklahoma laws cover a wide range of larceny crimes, including:

• Larceny of passage tickets (airline or train tickets)
• Larceny of dogs, fish, domestic fowl, or game
• Larceny of trade secrets
• Larceny of cable or telecommunications services
• Larceny of gas (pump piracy)
• Motor vehicle theft
• Livestock and domestic animal theft
• Farm equipment theft

Oklahoma larceny statutes include various specific classifications and penalties for cases involving certain types of property, particularly motor vehicles, livestock, other domestic animals, and farm equipment.

Value Thresholds Summary

Understanding the value thresholds is crucial for determining charges and penalties:

• Under $500: Petit larceny (misdemeanor)
• $500 to $1,000: Grand larceny with reduced penalties
• Over $1,000: Grand larceny with full penalties
• Any value taken from a person: Automatically grand larceny

Legal Defense Considerations

Oklahoma larceny has a very broad definition, which means individuals can easily be mistakenly accused of committing these offenses. The complexity of larceny law, with its various classifications and penalty structures, makes proper legal representation essential for anyone facing these charges.

Key factors that can affect a larceny case include:

• The exact value of the stolen property
• The location where the theft occurred
• The time of day the offense took place
• Whether the property was taken directly from a person
• The specific type of property involved
• The defendant's criminal history

Understanding these nuances is critical for mounting an effective defense or negotiating favorable plea arrangements in larceny cases.

Call the Hunsucker Legal Group at (405) 544-2992 to schedule a free, no-risk case consultation today.