Under Florida law, a person is said to have committed the offense of grand theft if they appropriate or take another person’s property which is valued at $300 or more. Depending on the item stolen and its value, you could be charged with a third-degree, second-degree, or first-degree felony.

If convicted of grand theft in Florida, you will not only have to pay a hefty fine but also have to serve time in prison. Due to this, it’s paramount you fight the charges with the help of an accomplished Miami criminal defense attorney.

Grand Theft Charges in Florida

You will be charged with grand theft of the third degree if the stolen item in question is valued between $750 and $20,000, grand theft of the second degree if it is valued between $20,000 and $100,000, and grand theft of the first degree if it is valued at $100,000 or more.

However, as any Miami criminal defense lawyer can tell you, the value of the stolen item is not the only factor that determines the severity of the charges against you.

For example, if you steal emergency medical equipment or law enforcement equipment, you will be charged with a second-degree felony – even if the equipment in question is worth less than $20,000.

Penalties For Grand Theft Charges in Florida

  • Grand theft of the third degree is punishable with a fine (up to $5,000) and prison time (up to 5 years).
  • Grand theft of the second degree is punishable with a fine (up to $10,000) and prison time (up to 15 years).
  • Grand theft of the first degree is punishable with a fine (up to $10,000) and prison time (up to 30 years).

How a Miami Criminal Defense Attorney Can Defend You Against Grand Theft Charges

The most common defenses used to fight grand theft charges in Florida include:

  • Good faith belief (if you genuinely believed that you had an ownership interest in the property which you were accused of stealing)
  • Innocent mistake (if you mistakenly took or used someone’s item believing that it was yours)
  • Consent (if you believed that you had the owner’s consent to take or use the item in question)
  •  Duress (if you were forced by a third-party to steal the item in question and if you had no choice but to comply)
  • Incorrect valuation of the stolen item (if the item in question was incorrectly valued and if it is actually not worth $750 or more, you can only be charged with petit theft, not grand theft)

Facing Grand Theft Charges in Miami? We Can Help You!

For over 10 years, attorney Chad Piotrowski has been at the forefront of fighting for the rights of Florida residents who are charged with grand theft felony. Being a former prosecutor, he has the know-how and experience to assess the prosecution’s case, question the validity and authenticity of their evidence, and make compelling arguments to have your charges dismissed or reduced to the extent possible.

If you are facing grand theft charges in Florida, call Piotrowski Law today at 305-783-3436 or reach us online for a free and confidential review of your case with a Miami criminal defense lawyer.