Even "petit" larceny puts a theft conviction on your permanent record.
General larceny—the unlawful taking of personal property belonging to another by stealth, with the intent to permanently deprive them of it—is similarly gated by the $1,000 threshold. When a defendant steals property valued below $1,000, they are prosecuted for petit larceny, a misdemeanor. The legislature recognizes the non-violent nature of this property crime, generally leaning toward probation, restitution to the victim, and community service.
Nevertheless, a petit larceny conviction results in a permanent criminal record demonstrating a profound lack of moral character and untrustworthiness, directly limiting the defendant's ability to ever secure employment handling currency, sensitive financial data, or retail inventory.
Burglary, larceny, and arson are serious offenses in Oklahoma. Even minor theft charges can prevent you from obtaining employment:
Significant prison sentences for felony property crimes
Devastating for passing standard employment checks
Court-ordered repayment for damaged or stolen property
Severe fines depending on category classification
Loss of gun ownership and voting rights for life
Under strict supervision, reporting, and drug testing
Petit Larceny is a misdemeanor carrying up to 6 months in the county jail, a fine of $10 to $500, or both (21 O.S. § 1706). Despite being a misdemeanor, a theft conviction establishes a devastating crime of "moral turpitude" on your record, severely limiting your ability to find employment, rent property, or obtain professional licensing.
Kaylind has prosecuted and defended thousands of criminal and administrative cases across northeastern Oklahoma. She brings that dual perspective to every client.
We used to build the state's cases. Now we use that exact playbook to dismantle them, exposing procedural and legal weaknesses the prosecution does not want you to notice.
We specialize in criminal defense, substance offenses, and record expungements. We stay ahead of shifting legislation so your counsel is highly advanced.
You will never be just a file number. We purposely limit our caseload so every client receives direct attorney access, same-day updates, and highly personalized care.
We scrutinize the state's evidence, from security footage to witness statements, to build your defense:
We challenge petit larceny charges by disputing ownership, intent, and identification. Common defenses include: genuine belief that the property was yours, lack of intent to permanently deprive (borrowing), mistaken identity, and consent of the owner. We aggressively pursue deferred sentences and expungement.
We defend petit larceny cases in courts across northeastern Oklahoma, including state, federal, and tribal jurisdictions.
A shoplifting conviction puts a theft charge on your permanent record.
The key word is "knowingly." That is where your defense begins.
Driving a vehicle you did not know was stolen should not make you a felon.
Unauthorized use is not theft, but it is still a serious criminal charge.
Get clear answers to the questions we hear most often from clients facing these issues in Oklahoma.
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