A theft charge can have severe consequences on your life. It may not only damage your personal relationships but also destroy the reputation that you have spent years building.
Because these allegations are dangerous, it is always best to seek legal help from a Miami theft lawyer to fight for your innocence and protect your rights throughout the court case. At The Law Offices of Robert David Malove, we are committed to helping anyone accused of theft regain their freedom, reduce the charges, or secure an outright acquittal. You can call us today to speak with a respected criminal attorney.
Categories of Theft Charges According to State Law
Under Florida Statute § 812.014(2), state law defines theft as forcibly or intentionally taking property belonging to another person without their permission and keeping it for oneself. While it is broadly categorized as either petit theft or grand theft, it can involve various stealing activities, such as breaking and entering, larceny, robbery, burglary, carjacking, shoplifting, and looting.
While the circumstances and definitions vary, theft always involves taking something that belongs to someone else. People are charged with petit theft if the value of the stolen items is less than $750 and charged with grand theft if the stolen goods’ value exceeds that amount.
No matter the type of theft charge, a defendant could benefit from working with an experienced attorney in Miami. Failure to secure competent legal defense can mean serious penalties.
What Are the Consequences of a Theft Conviction?
If convicted, the person accused may face penalties including monetary fines or a prison sentence. However, the degree of punishment for theft largely depends on the amount involved and the way it was obtained, as our Miami attorneys could explain.
Stealing items valued at $100 or less—second-degree petit theft—is charged as a misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $500 or up to 60 days in jail. Theft of items priced between $100 and $749—first-degree petit theft—is also charged as a misdemeanor and comes with a fine of up to $1,000 or a one-year prison sentence.
Pilfering items valued at over $750 is generally categorized as grand theft and is charged as a felony. If the stolen property is valued at between $750 and $20,000, it is considered a third-degree grand theft and can attract a five-year probation, prison sentence of up to five years, or a max of $5,000 in fines.
Theft of property in the $20,000 to $100,000 range is a second-degree felony. The maximum fine is $10,000, 15-year probation, or a prison sentence of similar duration. First-degree felony theft involving property valued at over $100,000 is punishable by a maximum fine of $10,000, a 30-year prison sentence with a 21-month minimum term of confinement, or 30 years of probation.
Contact a Miami Attorney About Putting Up a Defense in Your Theft Case
If you have been accused of any form of theft, you need to get legal help right away. The earlier you seek our guidance, the sooner we can begin working to protect your future.
Possible defenses that could be used by a skilled Miami theft lawyer from The Law Offices of Robert David Malove include lack of intent, mistaken identity, act of necessity or duress, property owner consent, mistake of fact, evidentiary issues, mere presence (wrong place, wrong time), and more. Let us start building your defense today. Call us to discuss your case.