Grand Larceny in Nevada (NRS 205.220): Felony Theft Penalties by Value
Grand larceny is Nevada’s main felony theft charge. Under NRS 205.220, it applies when a person intentionally steals property worth $1,200 or more, along with several specific categories such as livestock and ATM fraud. The penalty under NRS 205.222 scales with the value of the property, from a category D felony up to a category B felony with a 20-year maximum.
Value is often the most important issue in the case. A difference of a few hundred dollars can decide whether a charge is a misdemeanor or a felony, or whether it falls into a higher felony tier.
Grand Larceny in Nevada at a Glance
| Statute | NRS 205.220 (definition); NRS 205.222 (penalties) |
| $1,200 to under $5,000 | Category D felony – 1 to 4 years, up to $5,000 |
| $5,000 to under $25,000 | Category C felony – 1 to 5 years, up to $10,000 |
| $25,000 to under $100,000 | Category B felony – 1 to 10 years, up to $10,000 |
| $100,000 or more | Category B felony – 1 to 20 years, up to $15,000 |
| Record sealing | 5 years after release or discharge |
What the State Must Prove Under NRS 205.220
For the most common form of grand larceny, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you:
- Intentionally stole, took and carried away, led away or drove away;
- Personal goods or property owned by another person;
- With a value of $1,200 or more.
Grand larceny also includes using an ATM card or similar device to intentionally withdraw money the person knows they are not entitled to, stealing livestock of any value, and certain branding or killing of livestock. Theft of a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle are charged under separate statutes, NRS 205.226 and 205.228.
The intent element means the person must have meant to permanently deprive the owner of the property. Borrowing, mistake about ownership, or a genuine dispute over who owns an item can defeat the charge.
Penalties for Grand Larceny in Nevada
Every grand larceny conviction requires restitution in addition to the sentence below.
| Circumstance | Classification | Possible sentence |
|---|---|---|
| $1,200 to under $5,000 | Category D felony | 1 to 4 years; up to $5,000 |
| $5,000 to under $25,000 | Category C felony | 1 to 5 years; up to $10,000 |
| $25,000 to under $100,000 | Category B felony | 1 to 10 years; up to $10,000 |
| $100,000 or more | Category B felony | 1 to 20 years; up to $15,000 |
Probation is available for grand larceny, and many first-offense cases are resolved with probation, restitution and, in some cases, a reduction to a gross misdemeanor or petit larceny once restitution is paid. A theft from a person 60 or older or a vulnerable person can carry an additional penalty.
Retail theft is treated more harshly in one specific situation. Since January 1, 2026, a new section of NRS chapter 205 makes it a category C felony to intentionally cause property damage to a retail establishment during a theft when the combined value of the theft and the damage is $750 or more. Smash-and-grab cases can therefore become felonies well below the $1,200 grand larceny threshold.
Common Defenses to Grand Larceny Charges
Every case turns on its own facts, but these are the issues we look at first when reviewing a charge like this one.
Value is below the threshold
The State must prove value beyond a reasonable doubt. Retail price, used-market value, depreciation and the actual condition of the items all matter. Getting an independent valuation is often the single most important step in a grand larceny defense.
No intent to steal
Taking property under a good-faith belief that it was yours, that you had permission, or that it was abandoned negates the required intent.
Aggregation problems
Prosecutors sometimes combine several smaller takings to reach a felony threshold. Whether separate incidents can legally be combined is a question of law that is worth challenging.
Identification and evidence
Loss prevention reports, video and receipts must actually connect the accused to the taking. Suppression issues arise when evidence is obtained from a search of a car, home or phone.
Record Sealing, Immigration and Other Consequences
Record sealing
Grand larceny is a category B, C or D felony, so under NRS 179.245 it can generally be sealed 5 years after release from custody or discharge from probation or parole.
Immigration
Theft offenses are generally crimes involving moral turpitude, and a theft conviction with a sentence of one year or more – even if suspended – can be an aggravated felony. Non-citizens should get immigration advice before any plea.
Employment and licensing
A theft conviction can be especially damaging for jobs in gaming, finance, retail and any position involving trust. Felony convictions also trigger the firearm prohibition in NRS 202.360.
Related Nevada Offenses
- Petit larceny (NRS 205.240) – theft of property worth less than $1,200.
- Possession of stolen property (NRS 205.275) – receiving or keeping property known to be stolen.
- Embezzlement (NRS 205.300) – misusing property that was entrusted to you.
- Burglary (NRS 205.060) – frequently charged with grand larceny in retail cases.
How Grand Larceny Cases Move Through Clark County Courts
Felony and gross misdemeanor cases in Clark County begin in a justice court (Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas or one of the outlying townships). The State must then show probable cause at a preliminary hearing, or obtain a grand jury indictment, before the case is bound over to the Eighth Judicial District Court for arraignment, motions and trial. The preliminary hearing is often the defense’s first chance to cross-examine the State’s witnesses under oath, and a large share of felony cases are reduced or resolved at the justice court stage, before bindover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Larceny in Nevada
What is the felony theft amount in Nevada?
$1,200. Property worth $1,200 or more supports a grand larceny charge; less than $1,200 is petit larceny, a misdemeanor. A separate 2026 law sets a $750 threshold for theft involving intentional damage to a retail store.
Can grand larceny be reduced to a misdemeanor?
Yes, often. Paying restitution, challenging value and a clean record all support reductions to petit larceny or a gross misdemeanor.
Do I have to pay restitution even if I get probation?
Yes. The court must order restitution in every grand larceny case.
Talk to a Henderson Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Grand Larceny Case
Joshua U. AlDabbagh has been licensed in Nevada since 2010 and began his career defending people accused of crimes in Clark County. If you or a family member has been arrested or charged under NRS 205.220, the decisions made in the first days of the case matter: what is said to police, whether evidence is preserved, and how bail and release conditions are handled. Call Southern Nevada Law Firm, PLLC at 702-589-4771 or send a message online to schedule a consultation. Our office is at 2831 St. Rose Parkway, Suite 292, in Henderson, and we handle cases throughout Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and the rest of Clark County. Learn more about our criminal defense practice.
Statutes Cited
- NRS 205.220 – Grand larceny: definition
- NRS 205.222 – Grand larceny: penalties
- NRS 205.251 – Determination of value in larceny offenses
- NRS 179.245 – Sealing records after conviction
This article is general information about Nevada law as of October 2026, not legal advice for any specific situation. Statutes and court decisions change, and the outcome of any case depends on its facts. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Attorney advertising.