Grand Larceny

^At Common Law. Simple larceny was divided into grand and petit. The former was committed by the stealing of property exceeding twelve pence in value; the latter, when the property was of the value of twelve pence or under. This distinction was not abolished till the reign of George IV. Grand larceny was a capital offense, but clergyable unless attended with certain aggravations. Petit larceny was punishable with whipping, "or some such corporal punishment less than death"; and, being a felony, it was subject to forfeiture, whether upon conviction or flight. In the United States. The distinction between grand and petit larceny is generally preserved; the amount necessary to be stolen to constitute grand larceny being ordinarily about twenty dollars. Grand larceny is a felony, and petit larceny a misdemeanor.

By the English law simple larceny was divided into grand and petit: tile former was -committed by the stealing of property exceeding twelve pence in value; the latter, when the property was of the value of twelve pence or under; Stat. West. 1 (3 Edw. I.), c. 15. This distinction was abolished in England by 7 & 8 Geo. IV. c. 29, and is recognized in only a few of the states. Grand larceny was a capital offence, but clergyable unless attended with certain aggravations. Petty larceny was punishable with whipping, “or some such corporal punishment less than death;” and, being a felon conviction or flight See 1 Blsb. Cr. L. § j879; Labcbiny.

In criminal law. In England, simple larceny, was originnily divided into two sorts,
—grand larceny, where the value of the goods stolen was abave twelve pence, and petit larceny, where their value was equal to or below that sum. 4 Bl. Comm. 229. The distinction was abolished in England by St. 7 & 8 Geo. IV. c. 29, and is not generally recognized in the United States, although in a few states there is a statutory offense of grand larceny, one essential element of which is the value of the goods stolen, which value varies from $7 in Vermont to $50 in California. See State v. Bean, 74 Vt 111, 52 Atl. 269; Fallon v. People, 2 Keyes (N. Y.) 147; People v. Murray, 8 Cal. 520; State v. Kennedy, 88 Mo. 343.

Defined under Larceny in Black's Law Dictionary.

In criminal law. In England, simple larceny was originally divided into two sorts,—grend larceny, where the value of the goods stolen was above twelve pence, and petit larceny, where their value was equal to or below that sum, 4 Bl. Comm. 229. The distinction was abolished in England by St. 7 & 8 Geo. IV. c. 29, and is not generally recognized in the United States,

In English criminal law. A stealing of property of above the value of twelve pence. 4 Bl. Com. 241. So distinguished from petit larceny, which was theft of property to the value of twelve pence or under. The distinction between these two kinds of larceny is of great antiquity, and was only recently abolished in England by statute 7 & 8 Geo. IV. c. 29, ss. 2, 3, 4. 4 Steph. Com. 169. 2 Russell on Crimes, 1. In the United States it is generally retained, although the sum adopted as its basis is much above the old English standard. Wharton's Am. Crim. Law, 387, 389. Lewis' U. S. Crim. Law, 442, 444. 2 Russell on Crimes, 1, (Am. ed. 1850, note.) In New-York, grand larceny is the felonious taking of personal property of the value of more than twenty-five dollars. 2 Rev. St. [679,] 666, § 63.