NORTH CAROLINA LARCENY AND POSSESSION OF STOLEN GOODS


In North Carolina, theft crimes involve the unlawful taking of the property of another.  Below is an overview of the primary theft offenses in North Carolina.

Misdemeanor Larceny

Elements
A person is guilty if they:
  1. Take personal property of another
  2. Carry it away
  3. Without the consent
  4. With intent to permanently deprive
  5. Knowing that it was not theirs to take

Punishment

If the value of the property stolen was less then $1,000, larceny is a Class 1 misdemeanor under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72(a). 
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Felony Larceny

Elements

A person is guilty if they:
  1. Take personal property of another
  2. Carry it away
  3. Without the consent
  4. With the intent to permanently deprive
  5. Knowing that it was not theirs to take, and
    1. Property was worth over $1,000, or
    2. Larceny was from the person, or
    3. Larceny committed during a burglary, breaking out of a dwelling, breaking or entering a building, breaking or entering a building that is a place of religious worship, or burglary with explosives, or
    4. Larceny was of an explosive or incendiary device, or
    5. Larceny was of a firearm, or
    6. Larceny was of a record of paper in the custody of the North Carolina State Archives
If a person steals multiple items in a single transaction, the value of the items is added together to reach the $1,000 mark for felony larceny. 

Punishment
The punishment for felony larceny is a Class H felony under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72(a).

Misdemeanor Possession of Stolen Goods

Elements

A person is guilty if they:
  1. Possesses stolen property
  2. Knowing, or having reasonable grounds to believe, that it was stolen
  3. With a dishonest purpose

Punishment
The punishment for misdemeanor possession of stolen goods is a Class 1 misdemeanor under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72(a).

Felony Possession of Stolen Goods

Elements

A person is guilty if they:
  1. Possess stolen property
  2. When the larceny was
    1. Of property worth more then $1,000; or
    2. From the person; or
    3. During a burglary, when breaking out of a dwelling, breaking or entering into a building, or burglary with explosives; or
    4. Of an explosive or incendiary device; or
    5. Of a firearm; or
    6. Of a record or paper in the custody of the North Carolina State Archives
    7. Knowing, or having reasonable grounds to believe, that the property was stolen in that manner
    8. With a dishonest purpose

Punishment
​The punishment for felony possession of stolen goods is a Class H felony under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72(a).
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