What is a key element of taking property in the context of larceny?

A key element of taking property in the context of larceny involves the defendant having control over the property in their possession. Larceny is characterized by the unlawful taking and carrying away of someone else's personal property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. This means that the act of taking and possessing the item without the owner's consent is essential to establishing that a larceny has occurred. Possession signifies that the defendant has acquired control over the item, which is critical for it to be considered larceny.

The other elements related to larceny—such as the duration of possession, the value of the property, and the location of the property—while potentially relevant in different legal contexts or cases, are not central to the definition of larceny itself. The mere act of being in possession does not require a specific duration, monetary value, or location; rather, it is the unlawful control over the property that defines the crime.