In response to a growing trend of package thefts, colloquially known as porch piracy, the North Carolina House of Representatives introduced a new proposal that aims to address and deter these crimes. Package theft is a phenomenon that has swept the nation. In the age online shopping and next day delivery, NC lawmakers are of the opinion that the law needs some expedited shipping.
House Bill 202 (HB202), titled Defense Against Porch Pirates Act, is a focused effort by state legislators to update and strengthen existing laws by introducing a specific offense: Larceny of Mail. Filed on February 26, 2025, HB202 proposed the addition of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72.10, which would create a new criminal offense.
Mail theft is certainly not a new crime and is outlawed on both the federal and state levels already. Under 18 U.S.C. § 1708, stealing mail (including letters, packages, and other items delivered by the U.S. Postal Service or placed in a mailbox) is a federal felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Currently, under North Carolina law, stealing someone’s mail is currently being prosecuted under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-72 as general larceny. If convicted under this statute, a defendant would be guilty of either a Class 1 misdemeanor (if the total value of the theft was under $1000) or a Class H felony for total value of stolen goods is over $1000 or has some aggravating factors present.
You may be asking yourself, “If it is already a crime, what is the point of this new bill?” That’s a great question that we are happy to shed some light on!
The proposed Defense Against Porch Pirates Act would create a distinct offense for larceny of mail. The term mail includes any letter, package, bag or items of value sent or delivered to another. It provides enhanced penalties earlier on and takes aim mainly at repeat offenders. Under HB202, if found guilty of a first offense and the value of the stolen mail is worth less than $200, a person would be convicted if a Class A1 misdemeanor. For a second offense with the same value, the conviction is bumped up to a Class G felony. If the value of the stolen goods is worth more than $200, first or second offenses would receive a Class E felony conviction. Any subsequent offenses made by the same person after that point or if the value of the stolen goods exceeded $2.000, they would be convicted of a Class D felony.
Stay tuned to this space for updates on the bill’s progress through the General Assembly—and what it could mean for your rights and responsibilities in the age of online shopping.
If you have been charged with either a misdemeanor or felony relating to larceny of any kind, give Granados Law Group a call today at 919-650-2851 and our experienced attorneys can discuss how to protect your legal rights in a rapidly changing legal landscape.