Petit larceny refers to the larceny or theft of property that is worth less than an amount set by statute. For a theft to be considered petit larceny, the maximum value often ranges between $100 and $500.
In Apprendi v. New Jersey, the U.S. Supreme Court noted that petit larceny is normally a misdemeanor. For example, New York has a Penal Law statute that defines petit larceny as the stealing of property and classifies petit larceny as a class A misdemeanor.
Contrast with grand larceny.
[Last updated in December of 2023 by the Wex Definitions Team]