Grand larceny in Oklahoma is defined as the taking of property worth more than $1,000, or property of any value if taken from the person of another.
All other larceny is petit larceny or petty theft. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1704
Grand Larceny Law
Here is an example of grand larceny in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
A repairman comes into a client’s home to fix a TV. He notices a diamond ring accidentally left on the TV.
He looks around and sees that the homeowner has gone into the kitchen. He takes the ring thinking he can pawn it later at his favorite shop or give it to his girlfriend.
The repairman has just committed grand larceny if the ring is worth more than $1,000. He took the ring through stealth, with the intent to deprive the owner of it.
Here is another example.
Our same repairman is drunk and out with his girlfriend. He and his girlfriend get into a fight.
He knows that his girlfriend’s final project for school is located on a flash drive in her pocket. While he is berating her, he reaches into her pocket, takes out the flash drive, and leaves with it. He intends to keep it.
He too has just committed grand larceny. The value of the flash drive is immaterial here. He took her property from her person without consent, intending to keep it.
In Oklahoma, grand larceny is a felony punishable up to five years in prison if the value of the property stolen is $1,000 or more.
If the property stolen is valued at less than $1,000, an offender could be sentenced to up to a year in the county jail or serve jail time of one or more nights or weekends, at the court’s discretion.
In addition, the offender could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and be ordered to pay restitution to the victim. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1705
Grand Larceny vs. Petit Larceny
In Oklahoma, petit larceny is all larceny that doesn’t qualify as grand larceny. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1704
Here is an example of petit larceny in Tulsa.
A teenage girl walks into a store and sees a cute belt that she wants. She goes into the dressing room to try on a couple of shirts and tucks the belt into her bag. She returns the shirts to the rack and walks out of the store.
She has just committed petit larceny.
Here is another example to consider.
A guy goes over to a friend’s house and sees an old boxed video game that he used to play. He decides to take it.
Without asking, he puts it in his backpack and takes it home. He figures his friend isn’t playing with it anymore and won’t miss it.
He too has just committed petit larceny.
In contrast to the penalty for grand larceny, the penalty for petit larceny is much less severe.
Petit larceny is punishable by a fine between $10 and $500, or up to six months in jail, or both. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1706
Shoplifting Penalties
Larceny of merchandise from a retailer or shoplifting is treated somewhat differently than grand larceny or petit larceny under Oklahoma law.
A first or second conviction of shoplifting one item worth less than $1,000 will be punished by up to 30 days in jail, or a fine from $10 to $500, or both.
If more than one item was stolen, but the items were still worth less than $1,000, the possible fine increases to between $50 and $500. The potential jail sentence is the same.
A third or subsequent conviction for shoplifting one or more items worth less than $1,000 is punishable by up to a year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.
All larceny of merchandise from a retailer offenses where the item or items are worth $1,00 or more are felony offenses. These are punishable by up to five years in prison. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1731
Strategy Session: Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
If you are being charged with a crime in Oklahoma, it is important that you hire an experienced Tulsa criminal defense attorney. Criminal convictions can carry serious consequences.
Only a local attorney will know the court system and judges in the area. Do not delay. Our initial consultation is free.
Call Wirth Law Office – Tulsa at 918-879-1681 or toll free at 1-888-Wirth-Law (1-888-947-8452). You can also submit the question form at the top right of this page.
We pride ourselves on providing our clients with excellent representation at reasonable prices.
