Nevada Laws on Theft, Larceny, and Shoplifting

Nevada criminal statutes provide detailed definitions of, and penalties for, theft and larceny. Larceny is a specific type of theft in Nevada.

Definition of Theft in Nevada

Nevada criminal statutes provide a detailed definition of theft that encompasses a number of specific actions, such as stealing property or services, embezzling, and receiving stolen property.

Examples of theft include:

• controlling the property of another person with the intent to deprive that person of the property
• converting or obtaining property or services of another by an unauthorized act, misrepresentation, or failing to use efforts to identify the true owner
• receiving property knowing or having reason to know that the property was stolen
• obtaining services, products, or other items without paying or agreeing to pay for them or by diverting them without lawful authority
• taking, destroying, concealing, or disposing of another person's property with intent to defraud that person, and
• obtaining gasoline or other fuel without paying or agreeing to pay for it.

Property goes beyond tangible items and can include most things of value, like customer lists, trade secrets, and copyrighted material.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 205.08255, 205.0832 (2025).)

Definition of Larceny in Nevada

Nevada laws also include a detailed definition of larceny, which is a specific type of theft. Here are a few examples of grand larceny:

• intentionally taking personal goods or property owned by another
• wrongfully using an ATM card or other device for withdrawing or transferring money
• intentionally stealing livestock, domesticated animals, or domesticated birds owned by another, and
• intentionally stealing a firearm or motor vehicle.

The state divides larceny into grand larceny and petit larceny.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. § 205.220 (2025).)

How Nevada Classifies Theft and Larceny

Like many other states, Nevada classifies theft-related offenses as felonies or misdemeanors according to the value or type of property stolen. Larceny crimes are classified similarly but referred to as grand larceny (felonies) and petit larceny (misdemeanors).

What Are the Penalties for Misdemeanor Theft and Petit Larceny in Nevada?

Theft and larceny are considered misdemeanors in Nevada if the value of the goods, services, or property stolen is less than $1,200. A person convicted of a misdemeanor faces up to six months in jail and a fine of $1,000.

What Are the Penalties for Felony Theft and Grand Larceny in Nevada?

Theft and larceny become felonies when the property stolen is valued at $1,200 or more or the stolen item is a firearm, motor vehicle, or catalytic converter. The penalty generally increases as the value of the stolen property increases. However, for catalytic converter thefts, the penalty increases depending on how many catalytic converters the person steals.

Category E Felonies

Stealing or illegally possessing one used catalytic converter is a category E felony. A conviction carries one to four years behind bars and a $5,000 fine.

Category D Felonies

Theft and grand larceny are considered category D felonies if the value of the property or services involved is more than $1,200 but less than $5,000. Theft of between 2 and 9 used catalytic converters is also a category D felony.

Category D felonies may also be punished by one to four years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Category C Felonies

If the value of property or services stolen is between $5,000 and $25,000, the crime constitutes a category C felony, punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Stealing a motor vehicle (any value) is also a category C felony (unless it's a repeat offense as described below), as is stealing 10 or more used catalytic converters.

Category B Felonies

Nevada divides category B felonies into three levels of punishment as follows:

• A repeat offense for stealing a vehicle—within five years of each other—is a class B felony, punishable by one to six years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
• For property stolen valued at $25,000 or more but less than $100,000, or when the property is a firearm (any value), a conviction is punishable by one to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• If the value of the property or services involved is $100,000 or more, the penalty carries one to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

Restitution

For all levels of theft and larceny offenses, Nevada law requires an offender to pay restitution to the theft victim. Restitution is different from a fine. Fine money is paid to the government, while restitution is money paid to a victim to make them whole.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 193.130; 205.0835, 205.222, 205.226, 205.228, 205.240, 205.27419 (2025).)

What Are the Penalties for Shoplifting in Nevada?

Shoplifting merchandise can result in both criminal and civil penalties.

Criminal Penalties for Shoplifting

Shoplifting offenses generally fall under the crime of theft. In most cases, the penalties outlined above apply based on the value of the shoplifted merchandise.

Separate penalties apply to organized retail theft, possession or use of a theft detection shielding device, and possession or creation of forged sales receipts or inventory pricing labels. These offense all start as felonies.

Civil Penalties for Shoplifting

In addition to criminal penalties, a person who commits shoplifting in Nevada may be civilly liable to the store owner for:

• the retail value of the merchandise
• damages of not less than $100 and not more than $250
• the costs of bringing the civil lawsuit, and
• reasonable attorneys' fees.

If the offender is a minor, the judge can make the parents or guardian pay these damages and costs.

(Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 205.08345, 205.965, 205.970, 597.860, 597.870 (2025).)

Getting a Lawyer

If you face theft or larceny charges, speak with an attorney. A criminal defense lawyer can help you navigate the criminal justice system, protect your rights, and help you understand the potential penalties and consequences. If you can't afford a private attorney, ask for a public defender. Even misdemeanor charges, which might seem like no big deal, can result in serious consequences that can follow you for years, making it more difficult to obtain a job, housing, or loans. An attorney can explain how decisions in the short term might affect you in the long term.