AN ACT to create the offense of larceny of mail.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  This act shall be known as The Defense Against Porch Pirates Act.

SECTION 2.  Article 16 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 14‑72.10.  Larceny of mail.

(a)        Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term mail means a letter, package, bag, or other item of value sent or delivered to another.

(b)        Offense. – A person is guilty of the offense of larceny of mail if the person does either of the following:

(1)        Unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, the mail of another person with the intent to deprive the other person of that mail.

(2)        Unlawfully transfers, or exercises unlawful control over, the mail of another person or an interest in the mail of another person with the intent to benefit the person or another person not entitled to that mail or interest in that mail.

(c)        Punishment. – Unless covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, a violation of this section is punishable as follows:

(1)        A Class A1 misdemeanor if the offense is a first offense and the value of the mail is less than two hundred dollars ($200.00).

(2)        A Class G felony if the offense is a second offense and the value of the mail is less than two hundred dollars ($200.00).

(3)        A Class E felony if the offense is a first or second offense and the value of the mail is two hundred dollars ($200.00) or more.

(4)        A Class D felony if the offense is a third or subsequent offense or if the value of the mail exceeds two thousand dollars ($2,000).

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.