What is the sentence for grand larceny in Nevada?

Q: What is the sentence for grand larceny in Nevada?

Nevada's grand larceny penalties depend on the value of the stolen property: Grand theft of $1,200 to less than $5,000 is a category D felony punishable by 1 to 4 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines plus restitution. Grand theft of $5,000 to less than $25,000 is a category C felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines plus restitution. Grand theft of $25,000 to less than $100,000 is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines plus restitution. Grand theft of $100,000 or more is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines plus restitution.

Q: What is grand larceny in Nevada?

Also called grand theft, grand larceny is intentionally stealing cash or property worth $1,200 or more. Examples of grand theft include shoplifting, taking furniture from hotel rooms, or stealing pets or livestock.

Q: How is the value of property determined?

In shoplifting cases, the value of the property is the sticker price that the store used. In other cases - such as stealing items from someone's home or office - courts will attribute the highest reasonable value to the property.

Q: How can I fight the charges?

Ten potential defenses to Nevada grand larceny charges are: 1) You were falsely accused; 2) You did not intentionally take the property (such as forgetting to pay at the register); 3) The owner consented to you taking possession of the property. 4) You believed the owner gave you the property. 5) You merely meant to borrow the property. 6) The police entrapped you. 7) The police found the property through an illegal search and seizure. 8) The police coerced a confession. 9) You were the victim of mistaken identity (such as being wrongly chosen out of a lineup). 10) You were never in actual or constructive possession of the property.

Q: How long does grand larceny stay on my record?

Grand larceny convictions cannot be sealed for the first five years after the case ends. But if the charge gets dismissed, then the criminal record can be sealed right away.

Q: How is petty larceny different?

Petty larceny (NRS 205.240) is intentionally stealing less than $1,200 worth of property. A misdemeanor, petty theft carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines, plus restitution.

Posted on June 15, 2022

Man stealing computer in violation of NRS 205.220. — Grand larceny is a Nevada felony.

Nevada’s grand larceny penalties depend on the value of the stolen property:

Grand theft of $1,200 to less than $5,000 is a category D felony punishable by 1 to 4 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines plus restitution.
Grand theft of $5,000 to less than $25,000 is a category C felony punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines plus restitution.
Grand theft of $25,000 to less than $100,000 is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines plus restitution.
Grand theft of $100,000 or more is a category B felony punishable by 1 to 20 years in prison and up to $15,000 in fines plus restitution.¹

Note that stealing a firearm is always prosecuted as a category B felony, no matter the gun’s value. Penalties for “grand larceny of a firearm” include 1 to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines plus restitution.²

Also note that stealing a motor vehicle is always a felony, no matter the car’s worth. A first-time conviction of “grand larceny of a motor vehicle” is a category C felony carrying 1 to 5 years in prison and up to $10,000 plus restitution. And successive convictions are category B felonies, punishable by 1 to 6 years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines plus restitution.³

What is grand larceny in Nevada?

Also called grand theft, grand larceny is intentionally stealing cash or property worth $1,200 or more. Examples of grand theft include shoplifting, taking furniture from hotel rooms, or stealing pets or livestock.⁴

How is the value of property determined?

In shoplifting cases, the value of the property is the sticker price that the store used. In other cases – such as stealing items from someone’s home or office – courts will attribute the highest reasonable value to the property.⁵

How can I fight the charges?

Ten potential defenses to Nevada grand larceny charges are:

You were falsely accused;
You did not intentionally take the property (such as forgetting to pay at the register);
The owner consented to you taking possession of the property.
You believed the owner gave you the property.
You merely meant to borrow the property.
The police entrapped you.
The police found the property through an illegal search and seizure.
The police coerced a confession.
You were the victim of mistaken identity (such as being wrongly chosen out of a lineup).
You were never in actual or constructive possession of the property.

Typical evidence in grand larceny cases includes video surveillance video, eyewitness accounts, recorded communications, and the allegedly stolen property itself. If the case goes to trial and the district attorney fails to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the charge should be dismissed.

How long does grand larceny stay on my record?

Grand larceny convictions cannot be sealed for the first five years after the case ends. But if the charge gets dismissed, then the criminal record can be sealed right away.⁶

Learn how to seal Nevada criminal records.

How is petty larceny different?

Petty larceny (NRS 205.240) is intentionally stealing less than $1,200 worth of property. A misdemeanor, petty theft carries up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 in fines, plus restitution.

Petty larceny convictions can be sealed one year after the case ends.⁷

Legal References

NRS 205.220. NRS 205.226.
NRS 205.226.
NRS 205.228.
NRS 205.220.
NRS 205.0834. Calbert v. State, (1983) 85 Nev. 635. Cleveland v. State, (1969) 85 Nev. 635.
NRS 179.245. NRS 179.255.
NRS 205.240. NRS 179.245.

About the Author

Neil Shouse

A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.