Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 11-41-1, larceny is defined as every person who shall steal any money, goods, or chattels, or any note of the general treasurer of this state for the payment of money, any bank bill, any certificate of any bank or of any public officer or corporation securing the payment of money to any person or certifying it to be due, any certificate of stock in any corporation, any order entitling a person to money or other article, or any bill of exchange, bill of lading, railroad ticket, bond, warrant, obligation, bill, or promissory note for the payment of money, or other valuable property, or any record or paper belonging to any public officer, or any writ, warrant, or other legal process, or any book or part of one containing an account, any receipt for money or other article paid or delivered, any adjustment or document of any kind relating to the payment of money or delivery of any article, any indenture of apprenticeship, or any deed, covenant, indenture, or assurance whatsoever respecting any property, real or personal, shall be deemed guilty of larceny.
The penalties for larceny vary based on the value of the item taken, the type of item and the age of the victim. If the item is valued at $1,500.00 or less, it is misdemeanor larceny, punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year, or by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500), or both. If the item is valued at more than $1,500.00 or is a firearm, it is felony larceny punishable by imprisonment for not more than ten (10) years or by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.
In this case, the Chief stole $714.00 cash. If this crime happened today, he would be charged with misdemeanor larceny, not felony larceny. However, at the time the crime was committed, items valued at more than $500.00 were considered to be felony larceny. The General Assembly charged the valuation in 2012.
If you or a family member has been charged with larceny, robbery or other theft crimes, please allow Attorney Robert H. Humphrey’s reputation, experience and skill to successfully guide you through the legal process. Please contact Attorney Robert H. Humphrey, Esq., at 401-816-5862 or e-mail him at rhh@rhumphreylaw.com.