---
title: "What is larceny from a person and why is it more serious?"
description: "Larceny from a person means taking property directly off another human being - a phone out of a hand, a purse off a shoulder, a wallet from a pocket - without the force or threat that would make the..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/what-is-larceny-from-a-person-and-why-is-it-more-serious/
date: 2026-04-22
modified: 2026-04-22
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What is larceny from a person and why is it more serious?

Larceny from a person means taking property directly off another human being - a phone out of a hand, a purse off a shoulder, a wallet from a pocket - without the force or threat that would make the crime robbery. Rhode Island treats it as a serious felony regardless of dollar value, because the personal contact makes it more dangerous than a typical theft. Even a $50 cell phone taken off a person can trigger felony charges under this category. Defenses often focus on whether there was actual contact with the victim, whether the property was set down rather than taken from the person, and whether the facts could support a simple grand or petty larceny charge instead.