In Florida, theft is considered a crime of dishonesty. It is defined as the act of obtaining, using, or appropriating another person’s property with the intention of wrongfully using it to your advantage or depriving the person of their property.

Theft charges are taken seriously in Florida and the punishment can range from fines to imprisonment. So, if you have been charged with theft, it is critical to contact a Miami criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible and take steps to protect your rights and freedom.

Types of Theft Crimes in Florida 

In Florida, theft crimes are broadly classified into petit theft and grand theft – depending on the value of the stolen property, where it was stolen from, and other factors.

Petit Theft of The Second Degree

If the value of the stolen item is less than $100, the offender will be charged with petit theft of the second degree. It is a second degree misdemeanor which is punishable with a fine (up to $500) and jail term (up to 60 days). Make sure you have a competent Miami criminal defense lawyer on your side to protect your rights in this case.

Petit Theft of The First Degree

If the stolen item is valued between $100 and $750, the offender will be charged with petit theft of the first degree. It is a first degree misdemeanor which is punishable with a fine (up to $1,000) and jail term (up to one year). With the help of a capable Miami criminal defense attorney, you might be able to avoid jail time in certain circumstances.

Grand Theft of The Third Degree

If the stolen item is valued between $750 and $20,000, the offender will be charged with grand theft of the third degree. It is a third degree felony which is punishable with a fine (up to $5,000) and prison term (up to five years).

Grand Theft of The Second Degree

If the stolen item is valued between $20,000 and $100,000, the offender will be charged with grand theft of the second degree. It is a second degree felony which is punishable with a fine (up to $10,000) and prison term (up to 15 years).

Grand Theft of The First Degree

If the stolen item is worth more than $100,000, the offender will be charged with grand theft of the first degree. It is a first degree felony which is punishable with a fine (up to $10,000) and prison term (up to 30 years).

Grand theft felony charges in Florida can have extremely serious consequences, especially if you have a criminal record. In the absence of effective legal representation, you could be looking at a lengthy prison term. So, if you have been charged with grand theft felony, it is important to contact a Miami criminal defense lawyer as quickly as possible.

Choose the Right Miami Criminal Defense Attorney to Fight for You

If you are facing petit or grand theft charges in Florida and looking for a skilled and experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent you, you cannot go wrong with Chad Piotrowski.

Attorney Chad Piotrowski’s in-depth understanding of the workings of the Florida criminal justice system allows him to mount the best possible defense for his clients and deliver results that many other attorneys cannot.

Call our firm today at 305-783-3436 or contact us online for a free and confidential review of your theft case by a Miami criminal defense lawyer.