The Theft Ladder
Va. Code 18.2-95 — $1,000 divides petit larceny from grand, and a firearm is grand at any value
| The larceny | The offense | The most it carries |
|---|---|---|
| The larcenyGoods under $1,000, or under $5 from the person | The offensePetit larceny, a Class 1 misdemeanor | The most it carriesTwelve months in jail and a $2,500 fine |
| The larcenyGoods of $1,000 or more, $5 or more from the person, or any firearm | The offenseGrand larceny | The most it carriesOne to 20 years, or up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine |
Concealing a store's merchandise, taking possession of it, altering a price tag, or moving goods to another container, intending to take them without paying full price, is petit larceny under $1,000 and grand larceny at $1,000 or more. Willfully concealing merchandise while still on the premises is prima facie evidence of the intent.
For the other classes: a Class 2 misdemeanor carries up to six months and a $1,000 fine, a Class 3 a fine up to $500, and a Class 4 a fine up to $250. A Class 6 felony carries one to five years, and a Class 5 one to 10, or in either case up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Sources for this section (5)
- Va. Code 18.2-95 — Grand larceny defined; how punished
- Va. Code 18.2-96 — Petit larceny defined; how punished
- Va. Code 18.2-103 — Concealing or taking possession of merchandise; altering price tags
- Va. Code 18.2-10 — Punishment for conviction of felony
- Va. Code 18.2-11 — Punishment for conviction of misdemeanor
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.