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Grand Larceny Defense in Westchester County

Former Prosecutors Defending Felony Theft Charges

Former Assistant District Attorneys who prosecuted larceny charges now defend people facing the same serious allegations. At Proto, Sachs & Brown, LLP, we represent clients throughout Westchester County and surrounding areas, drawing on experience from both sides of the criminal process.

New York uses the statutory term grand larceny for felony theft offenses often called grand theft. As a criminal defense and family law firm, we represent people accused at every felony level, from the lowest classification through the more serious classifications established under state law.

Call (914) 840-5104 for a free consultation about a grand larceny allegation and the legal strategies available for addressing it.

Experience on Both Sides of Larceny Prosecutions

Our attorneys include former Assistant District Attorneys who served in Westchester County and elsewhere in New York. Their experience prosecuting and defending these charges informs how we assess property value, evidence, intent and the degree of the alleged offense.

David Sachs served as an Assistant District Attorney in the White Plains Branch Office and appeared daily before criminal courts in White Plains. Our attorneys bring more than 100 years of combined experience to felony complaints, indictment proceedings and criminal court appearances.

The Felony Larceny Case Process in Westchester County

Before indictment, a felony larceny case in Westchester County is handled in White Plains City Court. It may begin with a felony complaint, the formal document alleging that a felony offense occurred. Court appearances at this stage may address:

Custody status
Legal counsel
Scheduling
A preliminary hearing or action by a grand jury

After an indictment, the case moves to Westchester County Court. An indictment is a formal accusation approved by a grand jury after it considers evidence presented by the prosecution. A case can also reach County Court through a superior court information, a written felony accusation used when a person waives the indictment process.

New York Criminal Procedure Law section 180.80, commonly cited as CPL 180.80, governs how long a person may be held on a felony complaint without a preliminary hearing or indictment. On application, a person held for more than 120 hours must generally be released on their own recognizance. The period can extend to 144 hours when a weekend or holiday falls within it, and the rule doesn’t determine the outcome of the underlying charge.

Discuss the Charge & Your Next Steps

A free consultation gives you an opportunity to explain what happened, identify the exact charge and procedural stage, and discuss potential legal strategies before committing to representation. Consultations are available by phone or through our contact form.

Speak with our attorneys about a Westchester County grand larceny charge by calling (914) 840-5104.

New York Grand Larceny Degrees & Felony Classes

New York divides grand larceny into four degrees based largely on the value of the property, although particular property and conduct categories can also determine the charge. The state classifies felonies from class E, the least severe felony classification, through class A-I, the most severe.

The four grand larceny degrees are:

Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree: This class E felony includes property valued at more than $1,000, as well as certain property and conduct categories specified by law.
Grand Larceny in the Third Degree: This class D felony applies when the property value exceeds $3,000. It also includes theft involving an automated teller machine.
Grand Larceny in the Second Degree: This is a class C felony when the allegedly stolen property is valued at more than $50,000.
Grand Larceny in the First Degree: This is a class B felony when the property value exceeds $1 million.

The degree alone doesn’t determine the sentence. The applicable sentence depends on the charge, the person’s record, the facts established in court and other requirements of New York law.

How New York Defines Larceny & Property Value

New York Penal Law Article 155 governs larceny offenses. A person commits larceny by wrongfully taking, obtaining or withholding property from an owner with the intent to deprive the owner of it or appropriate it to themselves or someone else. This required intent distinguishes a larceny allegation from a dispute that doesn’t satisfy the elements of a criminal offense.

Petit larceny is a class A misdemeanor and commonly encompasses shoplifting allegations. Grand larceny is a felony, with the applicable degree determined by the alleged value or another category identified in the statute.

Property valuation can affect whether an accusation is petit larceny or one of the four grand larceny degrees. New York Penal Law section 155.20 generally uses the property’s market value at the time and place of the alleged offense. When the value can’t otherwise be determined, the law deems its value to be less than $250.

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