Larceny in Oklahoma is defined as taking another’s personal property through fraud or stealth with the intent to deprive. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1701
Larceny is either small (petit) or large (grand). Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1703
Grand vs. Petit Larceny
Grand larceny in Tulsa is defined as taking property valued in excess of $1,000 or property of any value when taken from the person of another. All other larceny is petit larceny. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1704
Grand larceny in Oklahoma is a felony crime punishable by 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 up to a year in the county jail. At the court’s discretion, the time could be served at nights or on weekends.
In addition, the offender could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and be ordered to provide restitution to the victim. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1705
In contrast, 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
Larceny is your basic theft statute. It is a taking through the use of trickery or stealth.
For example, an electrician is hired to do some rewiring in a home. He enters lawfully and sees a wad of cash left on top of a desk while he is performing his duties.
While the homeowner is in the other room, he snatches up the money and crams it in his tool bag. If the cash amount is $1,000 or more, he has committed grand larceny. If it is under that amount, he has committed petit larceny.
Lost Property and Larceny in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, keeping lost property can be a form of larceny. If one finds lost property and has sufficient information from which to ascertain the true owner’s identity—or at least to make a reasonable inquiry into that identity—and fails to do so, keeping the lost property could constitute larceny. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1702
Using the example above, the electrician has completed the rewiring. On his way out, he sees a large envelope on the sidewalk in front of the house.
He opens the envelope and sees a wad of cash inside. On the outside of the envelope, is the name of the homeowner’s house that he has just serviced. If the electrician keeps the money and tosses the envelope, he has just committed larceny.
The homeowner’s name on the outside of the envelope gives the electrician sufficient information to inquire with the homeowner about the money. The electrician’s failure to at least inquire makes this a larceny.
A Broad Theft Category
Different categories of goods and property are covered by the larceny statutes in Oklahoma: library books (Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1739); larceny of cable television services (Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1737); removing or stealing copper (Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1727); taking oil, gas, or gasoline (Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1722); and dogs (Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 1718).
And there are other special larceny statutes.
Strategy Session with a Tulsa Criminal Defense Attorney
There are many larceny statutes in Oklahoma. Some of them are general and some are specific. But anytime you face a possible loss of freedom, it is best to think twice before taking something that does not belong to you.
If you are being charged with larceny, you may end up in jail. The facts surrounding these types of cases are important and can make a big difference in your defense.
Hire an experienced criminal defense attorney who will work hard to protect your freedom. 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.
