How does larceny differ from theft?

Larceny is a specific type of theft that generally involves the unlawful taking and carrying away of personal property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of that property. The key distinction with larceny is that it specifically involves personal property, which includes movable items, rather than real property (land and buildings). Thus, the act must involve the physical removal of the property from the owner's possession, which fulfills the elements of larceny as defined in many legal jurisdictions.

In contrast, theft can be a broader term that encompasses various forms of stealing, including embezzlement, fraud, and shoplifting. While all larceny is considered theft, not all theft qualifies as larceny due to differences in the type of property involved and other specific legal criteria. This means that understanding larceny's focus on personal property helps clarify its role within the broader context of theft laws.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definitions of larceny and theft as recognized in legal terms. For example, real property is not part of larceny, and consent from the owner negates the crime. Additionally, both theft and larceny are generally categorized as non-violent crimes, which further clarifies the misunderstanding in the comparison