What Are the Penalties for Larceny in Tennessee?

Larceny, or theft, is a crime taken seriously in Tennessee. If you are facing larceny or related charges, it is important that you understand the associated penalties as well as your legal rights and options. Contact a Memphis theft lawyer for more information and skilled representation during your case.

What is Larceny?

Larceny is not a crime recognized under Tennessee state law. Instead, the legal code refers to theft of property. Theft of property is comparable to larceny and is defined under § 39-14-103 as:

• “A person commits theft of property if, with intent to deprive the owner of property, the person knowingly obtains or exercises control over the property without the owner’s effective consent.”

Theft of services is also outlined in the following section, 39-14-104, and is described as a person who:

• “Intentionally obtains services by deception, fraud, coercion, forgery, false statement, false pretense or any other means to avoid payment for the services;
• Having control over the disposition of services to others, knowingly diverts those services to the person’s own benefit or to the benefit of another not entitled thereto; or
• Knowingly absconds from establishments where compensation for services is ordinarily paid immediately upon the rendering of them, including, but not limited to, hotels, motels and restaurants, without payment or a bona fide offer to pay.”

Any time that a person’s property or services are purposefully stolen with the intent to deprive the owner of the item or value, it is considered theft.

What Are the Penalties for Larceny in TN?

The penalties for theft in Tennessee can range from relatively mild to severe, depending on the details of the offense and how the charges are classified. One of the most important factors that contributes to the penalties associated with a conviction is the value of the property or services that were stolen. See below.

Property valued at $1,000 or less:

• Class A misdemeanor
• Up to $2,500 in fines
• Term of imprisonment not greater than 11 months and 29 days

Property valued between $1,000 and $2,500, or if the property is a firearm:

• Class E felony
• Up to $3,000 in fines
• Term of imprisonment of 1 to 6 years

Property valued between $2,500 and $10,000:

• Class D felony
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Term of imprisonment of 2 to 12 years

Property valued between $10,000 and $60,000

• Class C felony
• Up to $10,000 in fines
• Term of imprisonment of 3 to 15 years

Property valued between $60,000 and $250,000

• Class B felony
• Up to $25,000
• Term of imprisonment of 8 to 30 years

Property valued at $250,000 or more

• Class A felony
• Up to $50,000 in fines
• Term of imprisonment of 15 to 60 years

Because theft is considered a serious crime, the penalties associated with a conviction can be substantial. It is crucial that you seek help from an experienced criminal defense attorney during your case.