Have prosecutors charged you with a felony larceny offense in eastern North Carolina? A conviction for felony larceny can have significant adverse consequences, including the potential for prison time, fines, and a criminal record. However, you don’t have to face the criminal justice system alone. Instead, you can turn to the legal team at Greene Wilson & Styron, for help.
Our attorneys have over five decades of combined legal experience and a decade-plus track record of defending the rights and interests of individuals across eastern North Carolina. Our successes have earned us numerous awards and recognitions, including Business North Carolina’s “Legal Elite” and listing on North Carolina Super Lawyers. We strive to provide every client with the personalized attention and dedicated advocacy they need and deserve, and to do so with compassion and understanding.
Don’t leave the outcome of your prosecution to chance. Contact Greene Wilson & Styron today for an initial case evaluation to discuss your felony larceny charges with a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer and learn how we will fight to protect your rights and future.
Understanding Felony Larceny Under North Carolina Law
Under North Carolina law, a person commits felony larceny when they steal goods valued at more than $1,000. Felony larceny also occurs when a person commits a larceny, regardless of the value of the property involved, under circumstances such as:
- Stealing directly from the victim’s person
- Committed pursuant to a burglary or breaking and entering
- Stealing an explosive or incendiary device or substance
- Stealing a firearm
- Stealing records from the custody of the North Carolina State Archives
- Committed after a prior conviction for larceny or another similar offense
North Carolina grades felony larceny as a Class H felony.
Penalties for a Felony Larceny Conviction
As a Class H felony, a felony larceny conviction can impose an incarceration term of four to 25 months. Under certain circumstances, the court can impose a probation term or intermediate punishment instead of incarceration. A criminal sentence for a felony larceny conviction can also include penalties such as:
- Fines
- Court fees
- Restitution, which requires the defendant to reimburse their victim(s) for the value of the stolen property
A felony larceny conviction can also have other long-term consequences. It can disqualify individuals from some government benefits or eligibility for licenses or specific kinds of employment. A conviction will also result in a criminal record; criminal records can appear during background checks, making it challenging for individuals to pursue employment, housing, or educational opportunities.
The consequences of a felony larceny conviction in North Carolina make it critical to have experienced legal representation to help you pursue the best possible resolution to your charges.
Defenses to Felony Larceny Charges
If you face felony larceny charges, you may have various legal or factual defenses you could pursue to fight the prosecution’s case. Common defenses used in felony larceny cases include:
- Mistake of fact: A defendant may argue that they did not intend to steal the property and instead took the items by mistake, such as mistakenly believing that the items belonged to them or that they had the owner’s approval to take them.
- Consent: Defendants may present evidence proving they had permission to take the property, such as when a defendant validly purchased it from its owner or the owner gifted it to the defendant.
- Mistaken identity: A defendant may deny having committed the larceny by challenging the reliability of the victim’s or an eyewitness’s identification, such as by showing that police used an improperly suggestive identification procedure.
- Alibi: Defendants may also present alibi evidence to prove they were elsewhere when the larceny occurred.
- Inadequate value: A defendant may argue that the property at issue has a value of $1,000 or less, which can reduce the grading of a larceny offense from a felony to a misdemeanor.
- Unreliable forensic evidence: When a case involves forensic evidence like fingerprints or DNA, a defendant may challenge the reliability of the prosecution’s forensic evidence by highlighting chain-of-custody or lab testing issues.
- Unlawfully obtained evidence or statements: Defendants may file motions to exclude evidence from the prosecution’s case by arguing that investigators obtained them through an unlawful search or interrogation.
How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help You?
Although the prosecution may seem like it has a robust case against you, a criminal defense attorney from Greene Wilson & Styron, PA, can help you obtain a favorable outcome under the circumstances of your case. Our firm will leave no stone unturned in seeking to achieve the best possible resolution, whether that involves negotiating a favorable plea deal or fighting the prosecution’s case at trial. When you choose us to represent you against felony larceny charges, you can expect our attorneys to:
- Independently investigate your charges to obtain all available evidence, rather than relying on evidence turned over by the prosecution, to ensure we can build the strongest case possible.
- Evaluate the facts and evidence to identify possible defense strategies.
- Explain your charges and the possible outcomes, and prepare you for what to expect when facing the criminal justice system to help you make informed decisions at each stage of your case.
- Vigorously contest the prosecution’s case by filing motions to exclude evidence or dismiss your charges for lack of probable cause.
- Work tirelessly to secure the best possible resolution to your felony larceny charge, even when that means going to trial to fight your charges and advocate your innocence.
Contact Our Firm Today to Discuss Your Legal Options
If you’ve been charged with felony larceny in eastern North Carolina, turn to a dedicated legal advocate who can help you stand up for your rights as you face the criminal justice system. Contact Greene Wilson & Styron, today for a confidential consultation with a criminal defense attorney to discuss your legal options for pursuing a favorable resolution to your charges.