The Theft Ladder
Penal Law § 155.30 — petit larceny is a class A misdemeanor; over $1,000 is grand larceny, a class E felony
Petit larceny. Stealing property, whatever its value, is petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.
It is grand larceny in the fourth degree, a class E felony, when the property stolen, among other things:
- Is worth more than $1,000.
- Is taken from another person's body, whatever it is or is worth.
- Is a credit card or a debit card.
- Is a firearm, rifle or shotgun.
- Is a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, worth more than $100.
- Is obtained by extortion.
- Is retail merchandise stolen under a common scheme or one ongoing intent and worth more than $1,000 in all, from one owner or several.
The degrees above climb with the value. The second degree, a class C felony, begins at property worth more than $50,000, or property of any value obtained by extortion through fear of future physical injury or damage to property. The third and first degrees sit between and above and are not covered on this page.
A class A misdemeanor carries up to 364 days in jail. A class E felony carries a maximum term of up to four years, and a class C felony up to fifteen years.
Sources for this section (5)
- Penal Law § 155.25 — Petit larceny
- Penal Law § 155.30 — Grand larceny in the fourth degree
- Penal Law § 155.40 — Grand larceny in the second degree
- Penal Law § 70.15 — Sentences of imprisonment for misdemeanors and violation
- Penal Law § 70.00 — Sentence of imprisonment for felony
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed New York attorney.