Theft Charges

Theft crimes are considered crimes of dishonesty. They can include shoplifting, writing a bad check, embezzlement, petit theft, and grand theft. Convictions for theft can be used to prevent you from being able to get a job, a professional license, or housing. They may be used against you if you ever testify in a court. If you are found guilty of any form of theft, you will need to have your fingerprints taken in court. If you are caught offending again, your prior theft conviction can increase your sentence for a second or subsequent conviction. An experienced Bradenton theft crime lawyer can help you avert or minimize the consequences of a charge. Will Hanlon is an aggressive advocate who fights for the rights of the accused.

Florida Statute section 812.014 defines theft crimes broadly. You can be convicted of theft if the prosecutor proves beyond a reasonable doubt that you: (1) knowingly (2) used, obtained, or tried to obtain (3) someone else's property, (4) intending to temporarily or permanently (5) deprive the victim of the right to or benefit of the property or appropriate it to your own use.

However, there are several different degrees of theft crimes, and the sentence will vary depending on the worth of what was stolen or the nature of the goods that were stolen. The penalties may be enhanced if you have multiple convictions or if there was a firearm or force used during the theft, or if a gang was involved.

Petit theft is charged when the goods at issue are worth less than $300. Often, petit theft is in the form of shoplifting, such as when somebody goes to a store and tries to steal sunglasses or makeup. When the item is worth less than $100, it is petit theft in the second degree, and you can face a maximum of 60 days in county jail, plus a maximum $500 fine. When the property is worth more than $100 but less than $300, it is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor, and you can face a maximum of 12 months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. A theft crime attorney can help Bradenton residents fight these charges and the related penalties.

If you have two prior theft convictions, you can face a felony petit theft charge, which is punished with a maximum of 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. When the value of what was stolen is more than $300, you can be charged with felony retail theft. This is a third-degree felony.

There are several degrees of grand theft. Grand theft in the third degree may be charged when the property is worth $300-$20,000. When certain items are stolen, such as a will, codicil, firearm, motor vehicle, commercially farmed animal, bee colony, fire extinguisher, or stop sign, you can also be charged with third-degree grand theft. You should retain a Bradenton theft crime attorney to fight the penalties, which include a maximum of 5 years of imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

Grand theft in the second degree may be charged when the value of what is stolen is $20,000-$100,000. This is a second-degree felony with a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Grand theft in the first degree is charged when the property that was stolen is worth at least $100,000. This is a first-degree felony, for which you can face a maximum of 30 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine.

Embezzlement is a white collar theft crime that is taken quite seriously, and it is often charged as grand theft due to the value of the amount embezzled. Often, the court will sentence someone to prison for embezzlement even if there is no prior criminal record.

Theft crimes are crimes of dishonesty that can come back to haunt you. If you are being investigated for a theft offense, you should retain a tough and experienced criminal defense lawyer. Our founder, Will Hanlon, has aggressively and knowledgeably represented the accused since 1994. You can contact Hanlon Law at 941.253.0254 or via our online form.