Recently an individual from Clifton Park, New York was arrested and accused by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office of altering her paychecks from her place of employment.
The defendant faces numerous charges including larceny and forgery charges. If the allegations are proven beyond a reasonable doubt, the defendant faces probation, and/or jail or prison as well as fines and court surcharges.
Larceny in New York
A person is guilty of larceny when she intends to deprive another of property and wrongfully takes, obtains or withholds property from the owner. Below are the associated sentences for various types of larceny charges:
- Petit Larceny in violation of Penal Law section 155.25:
a. This includes the theft of property worth less than or equal to $1,000 dollars.
b. It is a Class A misdemeanor and may result in up to 364 days in jail, up to 3 years’ probation, and a fine of $1,000 or double the amount gained from the crime. - Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree in violation of Penal Law section 155.30:
a. The property stolen amounts to more than $1,000
b. This is a Class E felony which could lead to $5,000 in fines or double the amount gained from the crime, restitution for any loss incurred due to the crime based on the financial impact it has on the victim, up to 5 years’ probation or up to 4 years in prison. - Grand Larceny in the Third Degree in violation of Penal Law section 155.35:
a. Occurs when the property stolen amounts to more than $3,000.
b. This is a Class D Felony which may include Fines up to $5,000 or double the amount stolen, restitution for any financial losses incurred from the crime, up to 5 years’ probation or up to 7 years in prison. - Grand Larceny in the Second Degree in violation of Penal Law section 155.40:
a. The Value of the property exceeds $50,000
b. This is a Class C felony which can result in up to 15 years in prison, up to 5 years’ probation, and up to $5,000 in fines or double the amount gained from the crime as well as restitution for any financial losses incurred because of the crime. - Grand Larceny in the First Degree in violation of Penal Law section 155.42:
a. When the Value of the property stolen exceeds $1,000,000.
b. This is a Class B Felony which can include up to 25 years in prison, up to 5 years’ probation, as well as $5,000 in fines or double the amount stolen and restitution for any financial losses incurred from the crime.
Forgery in New York
A person is guilty of forgery when she makes a false instrument and intends to defraud or deceive another. Below are the associated sentences for various types of forgery charges:
- Forgery in the Third Degree in violation of Penal Law section 170.05:
a. A person is guilty of this when they falsely make, complete, or alter a written instrument with intent to defraud, deceive or inure another.
b. This is a Class A misdemeanor, and may result in up to 364 days in jail , up to 3 years’ probation, and a fine of $1,000 or double the amount gained from the crime. - Forgery in the Second Degree in violation of Penal Law section 170.10 :
a. A person is guilty of this when they falsely make, complete or alter a written instrument with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another person and the document is a deed, will, contract, commercial instrument, credit card, public record, prescription, part of an issue of tokens, public transportation transfers, certificates or other articles manufactured and designed for use as symbols of value usable in place of money for the purchase of property or services.
b. This is a Class D felony, and the person faces up to 5 years’ probation or up to 7 years in prison. - Forgery in the First Degree in violation of Penal Law section 170.15:
a. A person is guilty of this when they falsely make, complete or alter a written instrument with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another person and the instrument is part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, stock, bonds or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property.
b. This is a class C felony, and the punishments associated can be the same as previously listed including up to 5 years’ probation or up to 15 years in prison.
If you steal, you may also face a civil lawsuit and, if found to be responsible for the theft, you would be required to either return the stolen property or pay the plaintiff for the value of the loss.
If you or someone you know has been accused of crime, don’t waste time, call 844-Accused.