As we noted in a recent blog on crime trends in Minnesota, there were 72,701 reports of larceny in Minnesota in 2023, which marked the lowest number in 55 years. Still, more then 70,000 reports of larceny represents a very high number, and many people may not know exactly what the crime constitutes. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at the differences between larceny and robbery in Minnesota.
Larceny Vs. Robbery
Both larceny and robbery describe the crime of theft, and both can be charged as a misdemeanor or a higher offense like a felony based on the facts of the case and the amount of the goods stolen. Larceny and robbery both involve taking property that is not yours, so why are some crimes charged as larceny and others as robbery?
The difference between these two types of crimes revolves around the perpetrator’s action during the theft. Larceny is reserved for cases of theft where the property is taken without force, threat or deception. Conversely, a robbery occurs when force, threat or deception is used during the theft.
As you can probably imagine, robberies are generally more serious than cases of larceny because a victim is threatened during the process, whereas a larceny is oftentimes simply a crime of opportunity without the victim being present. That’s not to say that larceny cases aren’t serious, as they can rise to felony level depending on the value of the property that was taken, but there’s less direct victimization behind the crime of larceny compared to a robbery where force or threats are directly made to a victim.
Penalties For Larceny And Robbery In Minnesota
Most cases of larceny involve thefts of property valued at less than $500, and these cases are typically charged as a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and fines up to $1,000. As the value of the goods taken increases, so do the potential penalties. You can get a better understanding of the penalties for theft and when they increase by heading over to this blog dedicated to the topic.
Even if you are only charged with larceny instead of robbery, it’s imperative that you connect with a lawyer to make sure you defend yourself properly in the court of law. Theft convictions can affect your ability to secure a job or get into the college of your dreams, so don’t just plead guilty and hope for a slap on the wrist. Take some ownership over the situation and hire an attorney to build a defense and help you avoid a worst case scenario.
For more information about larceny or robbery in Minnesota, or for assistance with a different criminal matter, reach out to Avery and the team at Appelman Law Firm today at (952) 224-2277.
