Theft Crimes

Criminal Defense

Theft Crimes

Theft crimes encompass a large variety of offenses in Nevada. This page is designed to give a brief overview of many of those crimes.

Auto Theft

A person can be convicted of Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle when they have possession of a stolen vehicle and they know or have reason to believe the vehicle is stolen or they attempt to obtain or pass title of a motor vehicle they know is stolen or should know is stolen.

The punishment for Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle varies depending on the value of the stolen goods. If the value is $3,500.00 or more, grand larceny of a motor vehicle is a Category B felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 10 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property to the victim.


If the loss is less than $3,500.00, Grand Larceny of a Motor Vehicle is a Category C felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 5 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $5,000; and


Full repayment of the stolen property to the victim.

Image of a person in handcuffs at the scene of the crime was detained by the police. Crime, car theft.

Burglary

A person that enters any:

  • House,
  • Room,
  • Apartment,
  • Tenement,
  • Shop,
  • Warehouse,
  • Store,
  • Mill,
  • Barn,
  • Stable,
  • Outhouse,
  • Tent,
  • Vessel,
  • Vehicle,
  • Trailer,
  • Airplane, or
  • Boat

With the intent to commit grand or petit larceny, assault, battery, obtains money or property under false pretenses, or commits any other felony, is guilty of burglary.

Punishment for Burglary

Burglary is a Category B felony and punishable by:

  • 1 to 10 years in prison, and
  • A fine of up to $10,000.

If a person has previously been convicted of Burglary or another crime involving home invasion or forcible entry into a home, they will not be eligible for probation on the subsequent offense for burglary. It is important that your attorney takes the time to learn your past criminal history to avoid a conviction which could lead to guaranteed incarceration.

Shoplifting Exception

Most shoplifting incidents also qualify as Burglary and Larceny. However, Nevada has an exception for shoplifting. If a person enters a commercial establishment with the intent to commit Petit Larceny, they are not guilty of Burglary as long as they have not been convicted of petit larceny 2 or more times before and have not been convicted of any other felonies. However, the shoplifter will still face a charge of Petit Larceny.

Grand Larceny is stealing, taking or carrying away property that is worth $650 or more.

The punishment for Grand Larceny varies depending on the loss. If the loss is $3,500.00 or more, Grand Larceny is a Category B felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 10 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property.


If the loss is less than $3,500.00, Grand Larceny is a Category C felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 5 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property.

Any Grand Larceny of a Firearm, regardless of the value of the firearm, is a Category B felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 10 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property.

If a person is entrusted with property or money not belonging to them and then proceeds to steal or defraud the owner, that person is guilty of embezzlement.

Per Nevada law, the punishment for embezzlement is the same as larceny.

Often times, embezzlement involves many smaller acts. In determining the value of the stolen property for embezzlement, the value of all money, goods or property taken must be considered together if:

  • The separate acts were committed against the same person,
  • The separate acts took place within 6 months,
  • None of the individual acts are punishable by a felony charge, and
  • The cumulative value if all the stolen property is punishable by a felony.


In other words, if a person takes $50 a day from the cash drawer at work, the individual incidents would be added together. If the aggregate amount taken was $650 or higher, this person is subject to felony embezzlement.

Petit Larceny is stealing, taking or carrying away property that is less than $650.

Petit Larceny is a misdemeanor punishable by:

  • Up to 180 days in jail;
  • A fine of $100; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property.

Whether it is pickpocketing or any other non-violent theft, a person who steals, takes or carries away the property of another can be convicted of Larceny from a Person.

The punishment for Larceny from a Person varies depending on the loss. If the loss is $3,500.00 or more, Larceny from a Person is a Category B felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 10 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property.


If the loss is less than $3,500.00, Larceny from a Person is a Category C felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 5 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property.


If the victim has an infirmity caused by age or other physical condition, the defendant is not eligible for probation.

Robbery is the unlawful taking of another’s property using force, violence or threats. Robbery is treated more seriously than larceny because the victim is aware they are being robbed. The degree of force does not matter, only that some amount of force or threat of force was used.

  • Robbery is a Category B felony punishable by:
  • 2 to 15 years in prison.

If a deadly weapon was used during a robbery, the punishment is enhanced. A sentencing judge can add 1 to 20 years onto the sentence. However, a judge can only double the baseline sentence for the underlying robbery. Additionally, a person would not be eligible for probation.

It is illegal in Nevada to be in possession of stolen property if you know it is stolen or should know that it is stolen. The punishment for being in possession of stolen property mirrors the punishments for larceny.

If the stolen property is $3,500.00 or more, Possession of Stolen Property is a Category B felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 10 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $10,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property to the victim.


If the stolen property less than $3,500.00, Possession of Stolen Property is a Category C felony punishable by:

  • 1 to 5 years in prison;
  • A fine of up to $5,000; and
  • Full repayment of the stolen property to the victim.


If the stolen property is less than $650 than Possession of Stolen Property is a misdemeanor punishable by:

Up to 180 days in jail;

A fine of $1000; and

Full repayment of the stolen property to the victim.

Get The Help You Deserve Today!

If you have been charged with a theft crime in Las Vegas, Henderson, Clark County, Laughlin, Mesquite, Pahrump, Boulder City or elsewhere in Nevada, call Your Defender at Law for a FREE consultation.

Jherna Shahani provides loyalty, skill, personal attention, and care to all of her clients no matter the charge. After the first consultation, you will have her’ direct cell phone number. Jherna guarantees a same day response; it is just that important.