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Concord Larceny Defense Lawyer

Larceny is a serious crime and a conviction could result in a state prison sentence.  If you have been accused of larceny, speak with a Concord larceny attorney by calling (617) 513-9444.

Elements of Larceny

In order to convict a defendant of larceny, the Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that:

  1. The defendant took and carried away property;
  2. The property was owned or possessed by someone other than the defendant; and
  3. The defendant intended to permanently deprive that person of the property.

The potential penalties for larceny depend upon the value of the allegedly stolen property.

There are several specific types of larceny that can be charged, including:

Larceny from a Person

A defendant is charged with larceny from a person when he or she allegedly takes the property directly from the victim or an area within the victim’s immediate control. Purse snatching or pickpocketing are examples of larceny from a person.

Larceny by False Pretenses

A defendant is charged with larceny by false pretenses when he or she makes a false statement and as a result of the false statement the alleged victim voluntarily gives up his or her property. This crime is charged when a defendant solicits donations for a charity that doesn’t exist or keeps the donations that he or she solicited for charity.

Larceny by Embezzlement

A defendant is charged with larceny by embezzlement when he or she is in a position of trust, has legal access to the alleged victim’s property, and then converts the property to his or her own use. This crime is often charged when accountants for companies or charitable organizations skim money off the top for personal gain.

Larceny of a Motor Vehicle

There is a specific crime that can be charged when the defendant steals a car. The penalties for this crime are severe, and a second conviction carries a mandatory jail term.

Common Defenses and Defense Strategies

Larceny cases can be defended in many ways.

Identification

Larceny is often a crime that can be proven only through circumstantial evidence. If nobody saw the alleged theft, identification of the defendant as the person who allegedly took the property will almost always be an issue.

Defendant’s Intent

The Commonwealth must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant intended to permanently deprive the alleged victim of his or her property. There is sometimes evidence that the defendant intended only to temporarily take control of the property, in which case the Commonwealth cannot prove larceny.

Bias

The alleged victim, who believes the defendant stole his or her property, is not going to like the defendant and may be willing to do whatever it takes to help the assistant district attorney secure a conviction.  Does that include lying under oath?  A good Concord larceny lawyer, like Attorney Spring, will explore all issues of bias while cross-examining the alleged victim.

Contact a Concord Larceny Defense Lawyer Today

Larceny prosecutions are common in Massachusetts criminal courtrooms, and Concord criminal defense attorney Spring has handled hundreds of larceny cases during his career.  If you are accused of larceny, breaking and entering, or trespassing, call Attorney Spring right away and schedule a free consultation to discuss your the facts of your case.