Vermont
Vermont Larceny and Theft Laws: $900 Felony Line and Retail Theft
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 14, 2026). · 17 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In Vermont, stealing property worth more than $900 is grand larceny, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000, or both (13 V.S.A. 2501), which makes it a felony. Property worth $900 or less is petit larceny, a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year (13 V.S.A. 2502), so exactly $900 is petit larceny. Shoplifting is usually charged as the separate offense of retail theft, which has its own $250 and $900 lines and a repeat-offense ladder (13 V.S.A. 2577). For other states, see our guide to theft laws by state.
Information last verified on 2026-10-14. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Vermont state larceny and retail theft law in Title 13, chapter 57 of the Vermont Statutes (13 V.S.A. 2501 to 2592), the felony definition in 13 V.S.A. 1, the habitual offender statute 13 V.S.A. 11, financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult (13 V.S.A. 1380), and, only where it reaches store theft, burglary under 13 V.S.A. 1201. It does not cover federal theft offenses, local ordinances, robbery, burglary generally, or identity theft and fraud schemes, which have their own pages linked below.
Grand larceny vs petit larceny in Vermont
Vermont still uses the older larceny labels. Under 13 V.S.A. 2501, a person who steals "from the actual or constructive possession of another, other than from his or her person," money, goods, chattels and a long list of documents and instruments, "shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both, if the money or other property stolen exceeds $900.00 in value."
Under 13 V.S.A. 2502, "where the money or other property stolen does not exceed $900.00 in value, the court may sentence the person convicted to imprisonment for not more than one year or to pay a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both."
Neither section uses the word felony. That label comes from 13 V.S.A. 1: "Any other provision of law notwithstanding, any offense whose maximum term of imprisonment is more than two years, for life, or which may be punished by death is a felony. Any other offense is a misdemeanor." Grand larceny, with a 10-year maximum, is a felony; petit larceny, with a one-year maximum, is a misdemeanor. The same test classifies every offense on this page.
| Value or type of theft | Offense | Felony or misdemeanor (13 V.S.A. 1) | Statutory penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| $900 or less | Petit larceny (13 V.S.A. 2502) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year, fine up to $1,000, or both |
| More than $900 | Grand larceny (13 V.S.A. 2501) | Felony | Up to 10 years, fine up to $5,000, or both |
| Any value, from the person and custody of another | Larceny from the person (13 V.S.A. 2503) | Felony | Up to 10 years, fine up to $500, or both |
| Buying, receiving, selling or possessing stolen property, knowing it is stolen | Receiving stolen property (13 V.S.A. 2561) | Same as the theft | "punished the same as for the stealing of such property" |
The penalties are statutory maximums. They can rise for a person with three prior felony convictions: under 13 V.S.A. 11, a person who, "after having been three times convicted within this State of felonies or attempts to commit felonies," or of crimes elsewhere that would be felonies in Vermont, "commits a felony other than murder within this State, may be sentenced upon conviction of such fourth or subsequent offense to imprisonment up to and including life." A lawyer licensed in Vermont can explain how this applies to a particular record.
Larceny from the person. "A person who steals or attempts to steal from the person and custody of another, property, the subject of larceny, shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $500.00, or both" (13 V.S.A. 2503). There is no value threshold.
Vulnerable adults. Financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult sits outside chapter 57 and has its own, lower value line. Exploiting "money, funds, or property of no more than $500.00 in value" carries up to 18 months or a fine up to $10,000, or both; "in excess of $500.00 in value" carries up to 10 years or a fine up to $10,000, or both (13 V.S.A. 1380(b), (c)).
Is shoplifting a felony in Vermont? Retail theft
Shoplifting is covered by a separate retail theft subchapter. Under 13 V.S.A. 2575, "A person commits the offense of retail theft when the person, with intent of depriving a merchant wrongfully of the lawful possession of merchandise, money, or credit," does any of the following:
- takes and carries away merchandise "from a retail mercantile establishment without paying the retail value of the merchandise";
- alters, transfers or removes a label, price tag or other marking "and purchases the merchandise for less than its retail value";
- moves merchandise from one container or location to another "and purchases the merchandise for less than its retail value";
- "alters, transfers, counterfeits, or reproduces a retail sales receipt or a Universal Product Code (UPC) label or possesses an altered, counterfeit, or reproduced retail sales receipt or UPC label";
- "possesses 15 or more altered, counterfeit, or reproduced retail sales receipts or UPC labels or possesses a device that is designed to alter, counterfeit, or reproduce retail sales receipts or UPC labels";
- makes, sells, distributes or knowingly possesses "a laminated or coated bag intended to shield merchandise from detection by an electronic or magnetic theft detector"; or
- makes, sells, distributes or knowingly possesses a tool or device designed to allow or capable of allowing "the deactivation or removal from any merchandise of any theft detection device without the permission of the merchant."
"Retail value" is "the merchant's indicated price of the merchandise at the time of the theft" (13 V.S.A. 2573(1)).
Retail theft penalties
| Retail theft | Statutory penalty (13 V.S.A. 2577) | Felony or misdemeanor (13 V.S.A. 1) |
|---|---|---|
| $250 or less | Fine up to $500 or up to 30 days, or both | Misdemeanor |
| More than $250 up to $900, first offense | Fine up to $500 or up to 6 months, or both | Misdemeanor |
| More than $250 up to $900, second offense within two years of the first | Fine up to $1,000 or up to 2 years | Misdemeanor |
| More than $250 up to $900, third offense within two years of the second | Fine up to $1,500 or up to 3 years, or both | Felony |
| More than $250 up to $900, fourth or later offense within two years of the preceding one | Fine up to $2,500 or up to 10 years, or both | Felony |
| More than $900 | Fine up to $1,000 or up to 10 years, or both | Felony |
| Altered or counterfeit receipt or UPC label (13 V.S.A. 2575(4)) | Up to 2 years or fine up to $1,000, or both | Misdemeanor |
| 15 or more altered receipts or UPC labels, a receipt-forging device, a shielding bag, or a detector-removal tool (13 V.S.A. 2575(5) to (7)) | Up to 10 years or fine up to $5,000, or both | Felony |
The two-year windows matter. The second-, third- and fourth-offense penalties in 13 V.S.A. 2577(b) each apply only "if" the offense occurs "not more than two years" after the prior one, as the statute words each step. The receipt, label, bag and tool penalties in 2577(d) apply "Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b)."
Restitution. "A sentencing court may order reasonable restitution where merchandise stolen is not recovered or is recovered in damaged condition. Damages shall be calculated based on retail value" (13 V.S.A. 2578(a)). Restitution "may be ordered in addition to any other penalties imposed" (2578(b)).
Burglary. Under 13 V.S.A. 1201(a), burglary is entering a building or structure "knowing that he or she is not licensed or privileged to do so, with the intent to commit a felony, petit larceny, simple assault, or unlawful mischief," and it carries up to 15 years (1201(c)(1)). The section does not apply "to an entry that takes place while the premises are open to the public, unless the person, with the intent to commit a crime specified in this subsection, surreptitiously remains in the building or structure after the license or privilege expires or after the premises no longer are open to the public." Burglary is otherwise outside the scope of this page.
Can a Vermont store detain someone suspected of shoplifting?
Yes, within limits. Under 13 V.S.A. 2576(a), a merchant "who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has committed or attempted to commit retail theft may detain the person on or in the immediate vicinity of the premises of a retail mercantile establishment, affording the person the opportunity to be detained in a place out of public view if available, in a reasonable manner that may include the use of reasonable force and for a reasonable length of time" for these purposes: to request and verify identification; to ask whether the person has unpurchased merchandise and recover it; to inform a law enforcement officer and surrender the person to the officer; and, for a minor, to inform an officer and the minor's parent, guardian or other supervising person and surrender custody.
"Reasonable force" means "only that minimum amount of force necessary to detain the person" (13 V.S.A. 2573(5)). A person detained for surrender to an officer or, as a minor, to a parent or guardian "shall, if a telephone is available, have the right to make one local telephone call of reasonable duration," and "The merchant shall advise the person detained of this right" (13 V.S.A. 2576(b)). A merchant may also ask a shopper "in a reasonable manner" to keep in full view merchandise removed from its place of display, and must post notice of that request (13 V.S.A. 2574).
Can a store demand money after shoplifting in Vermont?
Chapter 57 gives the store one money remedy: criminal restitution ordered by the sentencing court under 13 V.S.A. 2578, based on retail value. The chapter contains no provision setting a civil penalty that a merchant can demand from a person accused of retail theft. Vermont formerly had one: 13 V.S.A. 2579, "Civil recovery for retail theft," made a person who committed retail theft liable for damages plus a civil penalty of twice the retail price, from $25 to $300. It was repealed effective June 7, 2021 (2021 Acts and Resolves No. 65, Sec. 5); the chapter now shows "§ 2579. Repealed." This page does not cover civil claims a store might bring under other Vermont law; a lawyer licensed in Vermont can advise on a specific demand letter.
Other theft offenses with their own grades
These offenses in chapter 57 set their own penalties:
| Offense | Section | Statutory penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Taking parcel of realty (anything of value annexed to land) | 13 V.S.A. 2504 | Up to 10 years or fine up to $500, or both |
| Unauthorized use of boats or aircraft | 13 V.S.A. 2505 | Up to 1 year or fine up to $500, or both |
| Embezzlement by an employee, agent or officer | 13 V.S.A. 2531 | $100 or less: up to 1 year or fine up to $1,000, or both. More than $100: up to 10 years or fine up to $10,000, or both |
| Embezzlement by a bank officer, court-appointed receiver or trustee, executor or administrator, guardian, or public officer | 13 V.S.A. 2532 to 2535, 2537 | Up to 10 years or fine up to $1,000, or both |
| Embezzlement by a carrier | 13 V.S.A. 2536 | Up to 10 years or fine up to $500, or both |
| Theft of services | 13 V.S.A. 2582 | More than $900: up to 10 years or fine up to $5,000, or both. Otherwise: up to 1 year or fine up to $1,000, or both |
| Theft of rented property (other than a rented motor vehicle) | 13 V.S.A. 2591 | $900 or less: up to 6 months or fine up to $500, or both. More than $900: up to 2 years or fine up to $1,000, or both; up to 5 years or fine up to $5,000 with a prior conviction under that subdivision |
| Failure to return a rented or leased motor vehicle within 72 hours | 13 V.S.A. 2592 | Up to 3 years or fine up to $3,000, or both; up to 5 years or fine up to $5,000, or both, with a prior conviction |
The embezzlement line is far lower than the larceny line: $100, not $900.
Recent changes
July 1, 2024: retail theft ladder. Act 128 of the 2023 adjourned session (H.534), "An act relating to retail theft," rewrote the penalties in 13 V.S.A. 2577 and took effect July 1, 2024. Before the act, subsection (a) covered retail theft of merchandise "not in excess of $900.00" with up to six months; the act lowered that tier to $250 or less with up to 30 days, and set the penalties for merchandise worth more than $250 up to $900 at up to six months for a first offense, two years for a second, three years for a third and 10 years for a fourth or later offense, each later step applying only within two years of the one before. The act also amended 13 V.S.A. 2575.
June 7, 2021: civil recovery statute repealed. 13 V.S.A. 2579, "Civil recovery for retail theft," was repealed by 2021 Acts and Resolves No. 65, Sec. 5, effective June 7, 2021. Before the repeal it made a person who committed retail theft civilly liable for damages and "a civil penalty of two times the retail price of the merchandise, to be not less than $25.00 and not more than $300.00."
Related legal issues
Fraud schemes and false-pretense offenses are covered in Vermont scam and fraud laws, and misuse of personal information in Vermont identity theft laws. Clearing a larceny or retail theft record is covered in Vermont expungement laws, and time limits for charges in the Vermont statute of limitations.
Federal theft offenses are covered on our theft laws by state hub.
Related
- Theft laws by state
- Vermont scam and fraud laws
- Vermont identity theft laws
- Vermont expungement laws
- Vermont statute of limitations
This page provides general legal information about Vermont larceny and retail theft statutes as of October 14, 2026. It is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Vermont.
Last updated: 2026-10-14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the felony theft amount in Vermont?
Stealing property worth more than $900 is grand larceny, punishable by up to 10 years (13 V.S.A. 2501), and any offense with a maximum over two years is a felony (13 V.S.A. 1). Retail theft of merchandise worth more than $900 also carries up to 10 years (13 V.S.A. 2577(c)).
Is stealing $900 a felony in Vermont?
No, not on value alone. Grand larceny requires property that exceeds $900, and property that does not exceed $900 is petit larceny, punishable by up to one year (13 V.S.A. 2502).
What is petit larceny in Vermont?
Petit larceny is stealing property worth $900 or less. The court may impose up to one year in prison, a fine up to $1,000, or both (13 V.S.A. 2502), which makes it a misdemeanor under 13 V.S.A. 1.
Is shoplifting a felony in Vermont?
Retail theft is a felony when the merchandise is worth more than $900, or for a third or later offense of more than $250 up to $900 committed within two years of the prior offense (13 V.S.A. 2577). Retail theft of $250 or less carries up to 30 days. At any value, possessing 15 or more altered or counterfeit receipts or UPC labels, a receipt-forging device, a shielding bag or a tag-removal tool carries up to 10 years, a felony (13 V.S.A. 2575(5) to (7), 2577(d)(2)). Separately, entering a building knowing that one is not licensed or privileged to do so, with intent to commit petit larceny, is burglary, with up to 15 years; an entry while a store is open to the public is excluded unless the person surreptitiously remains after the license or privilege expires or after the store is no longer open to the public (13 V.S.A. 1201).
What happens for a first shoplifting offense in Vermont?
The statute sets the maximum by value: up to 30 days and a $500 fine for $250 or less, and up to six months and a $500 fine for a first offense of more than $250 up to $900 (13 V.S.A. 2577). The court may also order restitution based on retail value (13 V.S.A. 2578).
Can a store detain you for shoplifting in Vermont?
A merchant with reasonable cause to believe a person committed or attempted retail theft may detain the person on or near the premises, in a reasonable manner that may include reasonable force, for a reasonable time, for the purposes listed in 13 V.S.A. 2576. A person held for police has the right to one local phone call if a telephone is available.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 57: Larceny and Embezzlement, Subchapter: LARCENY
§ 2501Grand larcenyIn force
A person who steals from the actual or constructive possession of another, other than from his or her person, money, goods, chattels, bank notes, bonds, promissory notes, bills of exchange or other bills, orders, or certificates, or a book of accounts for or concerning money, or goods due or to become due or to be delivered, or a deed or writing containing a conveyance of land, or any other valuable contract in force, or a receipt, release or defeasance, writ, process, or public record, shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both, if the money or other property stolen exceeds $900.00 in value. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 15; 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2005, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.), § 3.)
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
§ 2503Larceny from the personIn force
A person who steals or attempts to steal from the person and custody of another, property, the subject of larceny, shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years or fined not more than $500.00, or both. (Amended 1971, No. 199 (Adj. Sess.), § 15.)
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 13: Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Chapter 57: Larceny and Embezzlement, Subchapter: SHOPLIFTING
§ 2575Offense of retail theftIn force
A person commits the offense of retail theft when the person, with intent of depriving a merchant wrongfully of the lawful possession of merchandise, money, or credit: (1) takes and carries away or causes to be taken and carried away or aids and abets the carrying away of any merchandise from a retail mercantile establishment without paying the retail value of the merchandise; or (2) alters, transfers, or removes or causes to be altered, transferred, or removed or aids and abets the alteration, transfer, or removal of any label, price tag, indicia of value, or any other markings affixed to any merchandise in a retail mercantile establishment and purchases the merchandise for less than its retail value; or (3) transfers or causes to be transferred or aids and abets in the transfer of any merchandise in a retail mercantile establishment from one container or location to another container or location and purchases the merchandise for less than its retail value; or (4) alters, transfers, counterfeits, or reproduces a retail sales receipt or a Universal Product Code (UPC) label or possesses an altered, counterfeit, or reproduced retail sales receipt or UPC label; or (5) possesses…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
§ 2577PenaltyIn force
(a) A person convicted of the offense of retail theft of merchandise having a retail value not in excess of $250.00 shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 30 days, or both. (b) A person convicted of the offense of retail theft of merchandise having a retail value in excess of $250.00 and not in excess of $900.00 shall: (1) for a first offense, be punished by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both; (2) for a second offense, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000.00 or imprisonment for not more than two years, if the second offense occurs not more than two years after the first offense; (3) for a third offense, be punished by a fine of not more than $1,500.00 or imprisonment for not more than three years, or both, if the third offense occurs not more than two years after the second offense; or (4) for a fourth or subsequent offense, be punished by a fine of not more than $2,500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, if the fourth or subsequent offense occurs not more than two years after the immediately preceding offense.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
§ 2576DetentionIn force
(a) Any merchant who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has committed or attempted to commit retail theft may detain the person on or in the immediate vicinity of the premises of a retail mercantile establishment, affording the person the opportunity to be detained in a place out of public view if available, in a reasonable manner that may include the use of reasonable force and for a reasonable length of time for any of the following purposes: (1) to request and verify identification; (2) to make reasonable inquiry as to whether the person has in his or her possession unpurchased merchandise and, if unpurchased, to recover the merchandise; (3) to inform a law enforcement officer of the detention of the person and surrender that person to the custody of a law enforcement officer; and (4) in the case of a minor, to inform a law enforcement officer, and, if known or determined, the parent or parents, guardian, or other person having supervision of the minor of his or her detention and to surrender custody of the minor to the law enforcement officer, parent, guardian, or other person.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
§ 2573DefinitionsIn force
As used in this chapter: (1) “Retail value” means the merchant’s indicated price of the merchandise at the time of the theft. (2) “Merchandise” means any items of tangible personal property displayed, held, stored, or offered for sale. (3) “Merchant” means an owner or manager of any retail mercantile establishment, or any person or persons in a supervisory capacity or security officer authorized in writing by the owner or manager to make requests or detentions under this subchapter. (4) “Premises of a retail mercantile establishment” includes the retail mercantile establishment, any common use areas in shopping centers, and all parking areas set aside by a merchant or on behalf of a merchant for the parking of vehicles for the convenience of the patrons of the retail mercantile establishment. (5) “Reasonable force” means only that minimum amount of force necessary to detain the person who the merchant has reasonable cause to believe has committed the offense of retail theft. (6) “Retail mercantile establishment” means any place where merchandise is displayed or offered for sale to the public, including storage areas on the premises of such an establishment. (Added 1977, No.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
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Sources and References
- 13 V.S.A. 2501: Grand larceny(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2502: Petit larceny(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2577: Retail theft penalty(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 1: Felony and misdemeanor defined(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2503: Larceny from the person(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2561: Receiving stolen property(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 11: Habitual criminals(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 1380: Financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2575: Offense of retail theft(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2573: Retail theft definitions(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2578: Restitution(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 1201: Burglary(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2576: Detention(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 2574: Right of merchant to request merchandise to be kept in view(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. chapter 57: Larceny and Embezzlement (full text)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Act No. 128 (2024), An act relating to retail theft (H.534), as enacted(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- Act No. 65 (2021), as enacted: Sec. 5 repeal of 13 V.S.A. 2579(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
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