Petty Larceny Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Petty Larceny.

Petty Larceny (noun)

Petty Larceny, also known as Petit Larceny, is a criminal act involving theft of another person's property, but where the value of the stolen property is small or minor. This type of theft is distinguished from Grand Larceny, which involves theft of more valuable property. The specific value that differentiates these two types varies from one jurisdiction to another. Punishment for Petty Larceny can range up to jail time, usually in a local or county jail, rather than a state prison.