Theft and fraud-related offenses are considered crimes of moral turpitude because they involve dishonesty, and accusations can have lasting negative impacts on your life, such as loss of professional licenses or making it challenging to find new employment. Potential defenses could include lack of intent, honest mistake, lack of evidence, and more, depending on the specifics of your arrest and charges. Our criminal defense attorneys are read to represent you.
All cases are different and require analysis to determine which is most appropriate. Contact a West Palm Beach theft lawyer to get started.
What Does State Law Consider as Theft?
A person commits theft if they knowingly take or use the property of another, with the intent to deprive them of their property, temporarily or permanently. Using someone’s property without permission or entitlement to use it can also result in charges under the statute. Under Florida Statutes § 812.014, unlawful conduct, including the following, is the crime of theft:
- Embezzlement, which is the fraudulent appropriation of money or property after being entrusted, such as by an employee, fiduciary, or agent
- Theft by conversion, which is failing to return property or money that they were entrusted to handle and treating it as their own
- Obtaining property by fraud, pretenses, or deception, such as selling counterfeit concert or lottery tickets
- Theft misappropriation is the unlawful or dishonest use of another person or entity’s property or assets for personal gain
The statute further directs that when a person “obtains or uses” someone else’s property, they take control of it without authorization to use or transfer it, or by obtaining it through fraud, misrepresentation, or a false promise. A knowledgeable West Palm Beach theft attorney can answer specific concerns and questions after reviewing the case specifics.
Felony Theft
Felony theft, often called grand larceny, occurs when the value of the stolen property is $750 or more; and when aggravating circumstances are present, that amount can be lower. That includes committing theft against a vulnerable person or while having prior convictions. The statutes classify grand theft into three degrees of severity, based on the property value and influencing factors, such as the type of property, the victim’s age, and the location where it occurs.
A third-degree felony involves theft of property valued between $750 and $20,000, and penalties for a conviction include a maximum of 5 years in prison and a fine of $5,000. Second-degree grand theft involves a conviction for property valued between $20,000 and $100,000, and penalties include up to $10,000 in monetary fines and up to 15 years of imprisonment. Grand Theft in the first degree involves property valued at $100,000 or more and can result in up to 30 years in prison.
Misdemeanor Theft
Misdemeanor theft, often called petit or petty theft, involves stolen property valued at less than $750. It involves knowingly taking or using another person’s property, intending to deprive them of their rights to it either temporarily or permanently.
A conviction could result in spending 60 days to one year in jail, and paying fines of up to $1,000. A seasoned theft lawyer in West Palm Beach can review the case and evidence to determine the best defense strategy to reach a favorable outcome.
Schedule a Consultation Today With a Skilled Theft Attorney in West Palm Beach
If you are under investigation or face charges for theft, you face a wide range of negative consequences, including having crimes of moral turpitude on your permanent criminal record. Not only can a conviction affect your personal and professional life in many ways, but if you face charges for similar crimes in the future, the potential punishments will result in harsher sentencing.
A skilled West Palm Beach theft lawyer has extensive experience handling cases and can help determine the most effective way to minimize charges or overcome them altogether. Call us soon to schedule a consultation to go over your case, questions, and learn more. We have attorneys based out of our West Palm Beach office.