{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-103.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-103.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-103.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-103.html"}],"law_id":67960,"edition_id":1,"section_id":67960,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-103","catch_line":"Concealing or taking possession of merchandise; altering price tags; transferring goods from one container to another; counseling, etc., another in performance of such acts","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-126; 1960, c. 358; 1970, c. 652; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1994, c. 706; 2018, cc. 764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401.","full_text":"Whoever, without authority, with the intention of converting goods or merchandise to his own or another&#8217;s use without having paid the full purchase price thereof, or of defrauding the owner of the value of the goods or merchandise, (i) willfully conceals or takes possession of the goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, or (ii) alters the price tag or other price marking on such goods or merchandise, or transfers the goods from one container to another, or (iii) counsels, assists, aids or abets another in the performance of any of the above acts, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the offense is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of petit larceny and, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the offense is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of grand larceny. The willful concealment of goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, while still on the premises thereof, shall be prima facie evidence of an intent to convert and defraud the owner thereof out of the value of the goods or merchandise.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":246100,"text":"Whoever, without authority, with the intention of converting goods or merchandise to his own or another&#8217;s use without having paid the full purchase price thereof, or of defrauding the owner of the value of the goods or merchandise, (i) willfully conceals or takes possession of the goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, or (ii) alters the price tag or other price marking on such goods or merchandise, or transfers the goods from one container to another, or (iii) counsels, assists, aids or abets another in the performance of any of the above acts, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the offense is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of petit larceny and, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the offense is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of grand larceny. The willful concealment of goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, while still on the premises thereof, shall be prima facie evidence of an intent to convert and defraud the owner thereof out of the value of the goods or merchandise.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":13748,"edition_id":1,"name":"Larceny and Receiving Stolen Goods","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13243,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:46","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:46","permalink":{"id":165381,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13748,"identifier":"3","token":"18.2\/5\/3","url":"\/18.2\/5\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13243,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Against Property","identifier":"5","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:30","permalink":{"id":165299,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13243,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/5","url":"\/18.2\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":62699,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-100","catch_line":"Removal of crop by tenant before rents and advances are satisfied","url":"\/18.2-100\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-100","metadata":false},{"id":56952,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-101","catch_line":"Selling, etc., of goods distrained or levied on","url":"\/18.2-101\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-101","metadata":false},{"id":62517,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-102","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat; consent; accessories or accomplices","url":"\/18.2-102\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-102","metadata":false},{"id":54920,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-102.1","catch_line":"Removal of shopping cart from store premises","url":"\/18.2-102.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-102.1","metadata":false},{"id":73217,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-102.2","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of dairy milk cases or milk crates; penalty","url":"\/18.2-102.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-102.2","metadata":false},{"id":67960,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-103","catch_line":"Concealing or taking possession of merchandise; altering price tags; transferring goods from one container to another; counseling, etc., another in performance of such acts","url":"\/18.2-103\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-103","metadata":false},{"id":74816,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-103.1","catch_line":"Organized retail theft; penalty","url":"\/18.2-103.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-103.1","metadata":false},{"id":85101,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-104","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-104\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-104","metadata":false},{"id":60229,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-104.1","catch_line":"Liability upon conviction under \u00a7 18.2-103","url":"\/18.2-104.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-104.1","metadata":false},{"id":83548,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-105","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-105\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-105","metadata":false},{"id":54750,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-105.1","catch_line":"Detention of suspected shoplifter","url":"\/18.2-105.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-105.1","metadata":false},{"id":85934,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-105.2","catch_line":"Manufacture, sale, etc., of devices to shield against electronic detection of shoplifting prohibited; penalty","url":"\/18.2-105.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-105.2","metadata":false},{"id":85827,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-106","catch_line":"\"Agents of the merchant\" defined","url":"\/18.2-106\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-106","metadata":false},{"id":86569,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-107","catch_line":"Theft or destruction of public records by others than officers","url":"\/18.2-107\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-107","metadata":false},{"id":78282,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-108","catch_line":"Receiving, etc., stolen goods","url":"\/18.2-108\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-108","metadata":false},{"id":54822,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-108.01","catch_line":"Larceny with intent to sell or distribute; sale of stolen property; penalty","url":"\/18.2-108.01\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-108.01","metadata":false},{"id":57561,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-108.1","catch_line":"Receipt of stolen firearm","url":"\/18.2-108.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-108.1","metadata":false},{"id":76334,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-109","catch_line":"Receipt or transfer of possession of stolen vehicle, aircraft or boat","url":"\/18.2-109\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-109","metadata":false},{"id":56172,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-110","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-110\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-110","metadata":false},{"id":57779,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-110.1","catch_line":"Mail theft; penalty","url":"\/18.2-110.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-110.1","metadata":false},{"id":78364,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-95","catch_line":"Grand larceny defined; how punished","url":"\/18.2-95\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-95","metadata":false},{"id":85076,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-96","catch_line":"Petit larceny defined; how punished","url":"\/18.2-96\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-96","metadata":false},{"id":71563,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-96.1","catch_line":"Identification of certain personalty","url":"\/18.2-96.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-96.1","metadata":false},{"id":63700,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-97","catch_line":"Larceny of certain animals and poultry","url":"\/18.2-97\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-97","metadata":false},{"id":77024,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-97.1","catch_line":"Removal of a transmitting device; penalty","url":"\/18.2-97.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-97.1","metadata":false},{"id":72452,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-98","catch_line":"Larceny of bank notes, checks, etc., or any book of accounts","url":"\/18.2-98\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-98","metadata":false},{"id":68304,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-98.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-98.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-98.1","metadata":false},{"id":79129,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-99","catch_line":"Larceny of things fixed to the freehold","url":"\/18.2-99\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-99","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":73217,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-102.2","catch_line":"Unauthorized use of dairy milk cases or milk crates; penalty","url":"\/18.2-102.2\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-102.2","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74816,"structure_id":13748,"section_number":"18.2-103.1","catch_line":"Organized retail theft; penalty","url":"\/18.2-103.1\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-103.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-103\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1970, chapter 652; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1994, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?941+ful+CHAP0706\">706<\/a>; in 2018, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0764\">764<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?181+ful+CHAP0765\">765<\/a>; in 2020, chapters <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0089\">89<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0401\">401<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":56400,"section_number":"16.1-246","catch_line":"When and how child may be taken into immediate custody","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-246\/"},{"id":60229,"section_number":"18.2-104.1","catch_line":"Liability upon conviction under \u00a7 18.2-103","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-104.1\/"},{"id":54750,"section_number":"18.2-105.1","catch_line":"Detention of suspected shoplifter","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-105.1\/"},{"id":86326,"section_number":"19.2-270.1","catch_line":"Use of photographs as evidence in certain larceny and burglary prosecutions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-270.1\/"},{"id":58970,"section_number":"19.2-327.15","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-327.15\/"},{"id":76488,"section_number":"19.2-392.12:1","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of charges and convictions related to automatic sealing; petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12_1\/"},{"id":82865,"section_number":"19.2-392.6","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Automatic sealing of offenses resulting in conviction","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.6\/"},{"id":60675,"section_number":"19.2-81","catch_line":"Arrest without warrant authorized in certain cases","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-81\/"},{"id":81275,"section_number":"8.01-226.9","catch_line":"Exemption from civil liability in connection with arrest or detention of person suspected of shoplifting","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-226.9\/"},{"id":83884,"section_number":"8.01-44.4","catch_line":"Action for shoplifting and employee theft","order_by":null,"url":"\/8.01-44.4\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":165403,"object_type":"law","relational_id":67960,"identifier":"18.2-103","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-103","url":"\/18.2-103\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-103\/","token":"18.2\/5\/3\/18.2-103","dublin_core":{"Title":"Concealing or taking possession of merchandise; altering price tags; transferring goods from one container to another; counseling, etc., another in performance of such acts","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-103","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>Whoever, without authority, with the intention of converting goods or merchandise to his own or another&#8217;s use without having paid the full purchase price thereof, or of defrauding the owner of the value of the goods or merchandise, (i) willfully conceals or takes <span class=\"dictionary\">possession<\/span> of the goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, or (ii) alters the price tag or other price marking on such goods or merchandise, or transfers the goods from one container to another, or (iii) <span class=\"dictionary\">counsels<\/span>, assists, aids or abets another in the performance of any of the above acts, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of petit <span class=\"dictionary\">larceny<\/span> and, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the <span class=\"dictionary\">offense<\/span> is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of grand <span class=\"dictionary\">larceny<\/span>. The willful concealment of goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, while still on the premises thereof, shall be prima facie <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> of an <span class=\"dictionary\">intent<\/span> to convert and defraud the owner thereof out of the value of the goods or merchandise.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nCONCEALING OR TAKING POSSESSION OF MERCHANDISE; ALTERING PRICE TAGS;\nTRANSFERRING GOODS FROM ONE CONTAINER TO ANOTHER; COUNSELING, ETC., ANOTHER IN\nPERFORMANCE OF SUCH ACTS (\u00a7 18.2-103)\n\nWhoever, without authority, with the intention of converting goods or\nmerchandise to his own or another&#8217;s use without having paid the full\npurchase price thereof, or of defrauding the owner of the value of the goods or\nmerchandise, (i) willfully conceals or takes possession of the goods or\nmerchandise of any store or other mercantile establishment, or (ii) alters the\nprice tag or other price marking on such goods or merchandise, or transfers the\ngoods from one container to another, or (iii) counsels, assists, aids or abets\nanother in the performance of any of the above acts, when the value of the goods\nor merchandise involved in the offense is less than $1,000, shall be guilty of\npetit larceny and, when the value of the goods or merchandise involved in the\noffense is $1,000 or more, shall be guilty of grand larceny. The willful\nconcealment of goods or merchandise of any store or other mercantile\nestablishment, while still on the premises thereof, shall be prima facie\nevidence of an intent to convert and defraud the owner thereof out of the value\nof the goods or merchandise.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-126; 1960, c. 358; 1970, c. 652; 1975, cc. 14, 15;\n1994, c. 706; 2018, cc. 764, 765; 2020, cc. 89, 401.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}