THEFT offenses

Theft is the offense of taking another person’s property without their consent. Theft can either be classified as a petit theft, which is a typically a misdemeanor offense, or a grand theft, which is a felony. The main factor that differentiates the two is the value of what was stolen. It is important to note also that if an individual has been convicted twice or more times in the past for petit theft, then it will become a felony of the third degree for the next arrest.

Penalties for theft crimes in Florida can include fines, probation, and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense. The state will also require you to pay back the alleged victim the amount that was determined to be stolen.

Theft offenses, especially petit thefts, are quite

common, but should not be taken lightly. Most cases arise from allegations that occur at grocery stores where people are caught skip scanning or double scanning lower priced items, swapping price tags, hiding items under bigger items, or putting merchandise in a personal bags.

These offenses are considered crimes of dishonesty. Whether a theft crime conviction comes into play in a future civil or criminal trial or it appears on a background check when you apply for a new job, the result is simple and can cause complete devastation. It is for this reason I make every effort to get my clients into a pretrial diversion program or negotiate a plea allowing for avoidance of formal conviction and the possibility of sealing or expunging your record down the road. If you're being accused of a theft offense in Orlando, Sanford, Deltona, DeLand, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona or any surrounding areas, call me today for a free consultation - 386.843.0593.

retail-theft-shoplifting-criminal-defense-lawyer-1024x534.jpg