What Are the Penalties for Pickpocketing in North Carolina?
Although most people associate pickpocketing with European destinations, this type of theft is surprisingly prevalent in North Carolina and the United States. In one 2025 case, a woman in Charlotte used tracking technology to track her pickpocketed cell phone all the way to China. If you face allegations of pickpocketing, you might be wondering what kind of penalties you’ll face if convicted. This is a conversation you might want to have with an experienced theft defense attorney in North Carolina.
Why Pickpocketing Is Always a Felony in North Carolina
The authorities in North Carolina view pickpocketing differently compared to other types of theft. Unlike shoplifting or stealing a parked car, shoplifting is larceny (theft) “from the person.” This means that you’re physically taking something of value from someone else’s body. Even if you’re not using violence, threats, or force, authorities view this as inherently more serious than simply swiping an item from a store shelf.
Does the Value of the Pickpocketed Items Matter?
With other types of theft, the value of the stolen items determines your criminal penalty. The higher the value, the more likely it is that you’ll face serious penalties. For example, theft below $1,000 is typically a misdemeanor, while theft over $1,000 leads to felony charges.
This is not the case with pickpocketing. North Carolina’s larceny laws clearly state that if theft is “from the person,” you’ll face felony charges regardless of the value of the stolen items.
For example, you might steal a single coin from the pocket of an unsuspecting person. Even if the value of the stolen item is 25 cents, you would still face felony charges. Specifically, you’ll face a Class H felony, which can put you in prison for up to 39 months.
The fact that the person was never aware of the theft doesn’t matter. Even if the person you stole from never felt fear or even noticed your presence, the authorities still view this as a more serious offense than shoplifting.
Even if you were to steal a smartphone from an electronics store worth $999, you would still face lighter penalties compared to pickpocketing a chocolate bar from someone’s pocket. This might seem unfair or inconsistent, but it is the law in North Carolina.
How Do I Defend Against Pickpocketing Charges?
Because of the potential for a felony conviction, it makes sense to take your legal defense very seriously when facing pickpocketing charges. Fortunately, pickpocketing can be difficult to prove in court. Unless the item in question clearly belonged to someone else, you could argue that it was yours all along. For example, you could argue that you legally purchased the chocolate bar yourself. If it’s your word against theirs, the criminal court should let you walk free.
Can a North Carolina Defense Attorney Help With Pickpocketing Charges?
Because pickpocketing involves stealing an item directly from a person, this offense almost always leads to felony charges in North Carolina. In this situation, it makes sense to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to mitigate potential penalties. Continue this conversation with The Pritchard Firm today for further guidance.
Source:
ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-72.pdf