Larceny Law and Legal Definition
Larceny is a form of theft involving taking the goods or money or another without permission. Some states divide the crime into the categories of grand larceny and petit or petty larceny, depending on the value of the item(s) stolen.
It is usually distinguished from embezzlement and false pretenses in that the actual taking of the property is accomplished unlawfully and without the victim's consent, and along with the taking there must be a carrying-off. It is also distinguished from burglary in that the theft does not necessarily involve unlawful breaking and entering.
