Theft Lawyer in Greensboro, NC
Looking for a theft lawyer in Greensboro, NC? Charged with larceny, shoplifting or stealing? One number decides almost everything: whether the value was over or under $1,000. Arguing that number down is what turns a felony into a misdemeanor, and it is what a lawyer is for. Call and we will tell you which side you are on.
Tell us what happened
What they say was taken, roughly what it was worth, and your court date.
Sending this form does not make us your lawyer yet.
Under $1,000 is a misdemeanor. Over $1,000 is a felony. That one line decides more about your case than anything else.
A first shoplifting charge is the lowest crime North Carolina has, and with an attorney a conviction can often be avoided altogether. A dismissal or a deferred case keeps it off your record. Pleading guilty because it feels minor does not.
But six things turn any theft into a felony, whatever it was worth. One of them is simply having been convicted four times before.
- The $1,000 line
- Shoplifting is treated differently
- The price tag trap
- Six thefts that are always felonies
- Will I go to jail?
- Can it be kept off my record?
- What does a theft lawyer cost in Greensboro?
- How to choose a theft lawyer in Greensboro
- Our criminal defense team
- What clients say
- Where we practice
- Questions people ask us
The $1,000 line
North Carolina calls theft larceny. The charge splits in two at one thousand dollars, and it is in G.S. 14-72.
| What it was worth | What you are charged with | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 or less | Misdemeanor larceny Class 1 misdemeanor |
Up to 45 days. With no prior convictions the grid in G.S. 15A-1340.23 authorizes community punishment only, which the court must suspend. Staying in that band is argued by your lawyer, not handed to you. |
| More than $1,000 | Felony larceny Class H felony |
A felony on your record for life. Prison is possible but probation is allowed. |
The value is not whatever the shop says it is. It is what the item was actually worth at the time it was taken, not the ticket price, not what it cost new. When the figure sits just over $1,000, that argument is the whole case, because winning it turns a felony into a misdemeanor.
Shoplifting is treated differently
Hiding something in a shop is its own charge, called concealment of merchandise. It is in G.S. 14-72.1, and it does not depend on value at all. It depends on how many times.
| Which time | Charge | Biggest fine |
|---|---|---|
| First time | Class 3 misdemeanor The lowest crime in NC |
$200 |
| Second time Within 3 years of the first |
Class 2 misdemeanor | $1,000 |
| Third time Within 5 years of two others |
Class 1 misdemeanor | Judge decides |
You do not have to leave the shop. Concealing the item is enough. If unpaid goods are found hidden on you, the law treats that as evidence on its own that you meant to hide them.
Do not let “it is only a Class 3” talk you into pleading guilty. It is still a criminal conviction, and it shows on every background check an employer or landlord runs. With a lawyer, first time shoplifting cases are regularly dismissed or deferred so that nothing goes on your record at all. That outcome is not offered to people who turn up alone and plead.
The price tag trap
Swapping a price tag is not shoplifting. It can be a felony. If you change a label so you pay at least $200 less than the real price, that is a Class H felony, the same level as stealing something worth over $1,000.
Think about what that means. Hiding a $900 jacket and walking out is a Class 3 misdemeanor the first time. Putting a cheaper tag on that same jacket at the till is a felony.
Most people have no idea these are different. If this is what you are accused of, do not treat it as a shoplifting case.
Six thefts that are always felonies
Value stops mattering if any of these apply. Each one makes it a Class H felony no matter how little was taken.
| If the theft was | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| From a person | Taken directly from someone, not from a shelf or a car. |
| Of a firearm | Counts even if the gun does not work, as long as it could be made to work. Air rifles and air pistols do not count. |
| Of explosives | Explosive or incendiary devices. Fireworks are excluded. |
| During a break-in | Theft connected to burglary or breaking and entering. |
| Of State Archives records | Papers held by the North Carolina State Archives. |
| Your fifth time | Four or more previous larceny convictions turns the next one into a felony, whatever it is worth. |
That last one catches people badly. Four old shoplifting convictions, then a fifth for a $15 item, and you are facing a felony. This is called habitual larceny. There are rules about how convictions from the same week or the same court session are counted, and that counting is often where the case is won.
Will I go to jail?
It depends on the charge and on whether you have been convicted before.
| Charge, with no record | What a judge can do |
|---|---|
| Shoplifting, first time Class 3 misdemeanor |
Up to 10 days, but with three or fewer prior convictions G.S. 15A-1340.23(d) says the judgment is a fine only, capped at $200. The conviction on your record is the part that lasts, and that is what a lawyer is for. |
| Misdemeanor larceny Class 1 misdemeanor |
Up to 45 days. At this level G.S. 15A-1340.20(c) requires the court to suspend the sentence, with one exception: a term equal to time you have already been held can be imposed. Probation and its conditions are argued, not fixed. |
| Felony larceny Class H felony |
Normally 5 to 6 months, but the judge is allowed to suspend it and give probation instead. |
The misdemeanor chart is in G.S. 15A-1340.23 and the felony chart is in G.S. 15A-1340.17.
A Class H felony does not automatically mean prison, but nothing about that is automatic either. At the lowest record level the judge is allowed to give probation instead. Whether that happens depends on what is put in front of the judge before sentencing, including restitution and the value argument. With an attorney, jail time on these cases can often be avoided. Without one, the State’s version of the value is the only one the court hears.
If the figure is near $1,000, that is the whole case
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony on your record for life can be a few dollars of disputed value. Shops routinely list the ticket price rather than what the item was really worth.
That argument is easiest to make early, before anyone has committed to a number.
Call (336) 379-0539Free consultation, answered 24/7Can it be kept off my record?
Often, yes, and theft is one of the better charges for this.
North Carolina has a route called deferred prosecution where the case is put on hold, you go on probation, and if you finish it the charge is dismissed. After that you may be able to get it erased from your record.
It is in G.S. 15A-1341(a1) and a judge needs all five of these to be true.
- The District Attorney has agreed in writing to put the case on hold.
- The shop or owner has been formally notified and given the chance to speak.
- You have never been convicted of a felony, and never of a misdemeanor the law calls one of moral turpitude.
- You have never been on probation before, and you say so under oath.
- The judge believes you are unlikely to commit any new offense beyond the most minor kind.
Theft convictions can also be expunged later if they are nonviolent, after three years for one misdemeanor or ten for one felony. Paying back what was taken matters here, because outstanding restitution stops an expunction completely.
What does a theft lawyer cost in Greensboro?
Mostly it comes down to one thing: whether you are charged with a misdemeanor or a felony.
| What | How much |
|---|---|
| Shoplifting or misdemeanor larceny | Quoted as a flat figure on the first call. These are the least expensive cases we handle. |
| Felony larceny | More, because there is more work. Ask whether disputing the value is included. |
| Restitution | Separate from legal fees, and worth paying. Unpaid restitution blocks an expunction later. |
| The first conversation | Free. |
If the value sits near $1,000, ask specifically whether arguing it down is part of the quote. That argument is what turns a felony into a misdemeanor.
How to choose a theft lawyer in Greensboro
People search for the “best” theft lawyer in Greensboro. No lawyer is allowed to tell you they are the best one, and any firm that does is breaking the North Carolina State Bar advertising rules. What we can do is tell you what actually separates a good theft lawyer from a bad one, so you can judge for yourself.
| Ask them this | What a good answer sounds like |
|---|---|
| “Can you argue the value down?” | If the figure is near $1,000 this is the whole case. They should say so without being asked. |
| “Am I eligible for deferred prosecution?” | They should know the five conditions, not just say “maybe”. |
| “How are my priors being counted?” | On a habitual larceny charge, the counting rules are often where the case is won. |
| “Can this be expunged later?” | Theft is one of the better charges for this. A good answer includes the restitution warning. |
Ask us all four on the first call.
Our criminal defense team
Jason Aycoth
Criminal Defense, Felony Charges, State and Federal Court
Jason handles criminal cases in state and federal court across North Carolina. He has served as Editor of the True Bill and was Commencement Speaker at Elon Law School's graduation.
- Former President, Greensboro Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
- Elected member, Criminal Justice Section, North Carolina Bar Association
- Selected to present the Wade M. Smith Award for Top Criminal Defense Lawyer in North Carolina
Chad D. GarrettFounderJason AycothPartner
Sean OlsonPartner
Brandon GoldsboroughCriminal Defense
Stephanie GoldsboroughCriminal Defense
Rebecca ElliottCriminal Defense
Patrick BidwellCriminal Defense
Samantha HeplerCriminal DefenseTheft charges we defend
What clients say
4.9 out of 5 from 587 Google reviews. A few recent ones:
Where we practice
Our office is two minutes from the Guilford County Courthouse.
Guilford County: Greensboro · High Point · Jamestown · Gibsonville · Summerfield · Oak Ridge · Pleasant Garden · Stokesdale · Whitsett · McLeansville · Sedalia
Also serving: Randolph, Forsyth, Alamance, Rockingham and Davidson Counties
Questions people ask us
How do I find the best theft lawyer in Greensboro?
No North Carolina lawyer can claim to be the best. Judge on specifics instead. Will they argue the value down if it is near $1,000? Do they know the five conditions for deferred prosecution? On a habitual larceny charge, can they explain how your priors are counted?
Is stealing under $1,000 a felony in North Carolina?
No. Larceny of $1,000 or less is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Over $1,000 it becomes a Class H felony. There are six situations where value does not matter and it is a felony anyway.
Will I go to jail for shoplifting?
Not for a first offense with no record. It is a Class 3 misdemeanor, the lowest crime North Carolina has, and the law only allows probation. The maximum fine is $200.
Do I have to leave the store to be charged?
No. Concealing the item inside the shop is enough. If unpaid goods are found hidden on you, the law treats that as evidence in itself.
Why is my shoplifting charge a felony?
Usually one of three reasons. The value was over $1,000, you have four or more previous larceny convictions, or you are accused of switching a price tag to pay at least $200 less, which is a felony on its own.
Can the store drop the charges?
No. Once police charge you the case belongs to the State of North Carolina and the District Attorney decides. A shop can say it does not want to go ahead, which can help, but it cannot end the case.
Does paying the money back help?
Yes, in two ways. It often matters to the District Attorney and the judge when deciding the outcome. And later, outstanding restitution will completely block an expunction, so unpaid money follows you.
What is habitual larceny?
Four or more previous larceny convictions turn the next one into a Class H felony, whatever it was worth. The rules on how convictions from the same week or court session are counted are detailed, and that counting is often where the case is won.
Can a theft charge be expunged?
Often yes. Theft is nonviolent, so one misdemeanor can be cleared after three years and one felony after ten. A dismissed charge may clear automatically. Outstanding restitution stops it.
What if I was with someone who took it?
Being present is not the same as taking part, but police frequently charge everyone involved. What you knew and what you did is the whole argument, and it is best made before the first court date.
What does a theft lawyer cost?
The first conversation is free and you get a straight answer on the likely range before you commit. The price depends on whether it is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.
Talk to a Greensboro theft lawyer today
Bring the paper they gave you and anything showing what the item was actually worth.
Garrett, Walker, Aycoth & Olson, Attorneys at Law
317 South Greene St, Greensboro, NC 27401
(336) 379-0539 · answered live, 24 hours
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This page explains North Carolina law in general terms as of October 2026. It is not legal advice about your case, and penalties and statutes change. Figures come from N.C.G.S. 14-72, 14-72.1, 15A-1340.17, 15A-1340.23 and 15A-1341. Court details come from the North Carolina Judicial Branch.