Theft encompasses a variety of crimes, from shoplifting at the Dollar Store to international money laundering, but there is one common element. Theft involves the intentional taking of another person’s property without them knowing or consenting to the taking. Florida assigns legal penalties for theft crimes that are based on the property’s value, whether you have a criminal record or you used a weapon to commit the crime.
If you are charged with a theft crime, do not lose hope. An arrest is not a conviction. The prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that only you could have committed the crime and all the elements of it are met. A skilled Florida theft lawyer from The Umansky Law Firm will sew the seeds of doubt when refuting the prosecutor’s assertions to get you the best outcome possible. Call our criminal attorneys now to discuss an evaluation of your case.
You can be charged with petit theft, depending on the value of the property taken. Second-degree petit theft is charged when the value of the property is up to $100, and first-degree petit theft is charged if the property is worth $100 up to $300. These crimes are misdemeanors, with punishment of up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 for second-degree petit theft. First-degree petit theft convictions can land you in jail for up to a year, and with a fine of up to $1,000 to pay.
Prosecutors charge grand theft when the property is valued at $300 or more. Third-degree grand theft felonies cover property valued at less than $20,000 and a conviction can send you to prison for up to five years with possible fines and probation. If the property is worth $20,000 but less than $100,000, a conviction for this second-degree felony can mean up to 15 years in prison, 15 years’ probation, and up to $10,000 in fines. First-degree grand theft of property worth at least $100,000 is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, up to 30 years of probation, and a fine of up to $10,000.
A grand theft conviction impacts more than your freedom and wallet, you will carry a felony record with you that prospective employers, lenders, and landlords will see. Your reputation will carry this stigma long after you pay your dues, and you may lose your voting privileges and the right to own a firearm. For compassionate and tenacious representation, you need a skilled Florida theft attorney with a proven track record of successful advocacy. You need The Umansky Law Firm.
To plant doubt in jurors’ minds, we use defenses tailored to your circumstances. Remember, the prosecutor must prove you intended to deprive someone of their property, but if you could not form the element of intent, for example, you were under the influence of alcohol, or taking the property was merely a mistake because you believed it was yours, the prosecutor’s case will fail. We might explore whether you were borrowing the property, not stealing it, and you believed from experience that the owner permits you to do this.
Law enforcement may have entrapped you, or an officer violated your constitutional rights during a search and seizure. Any evidence confiscated during an illegal search is inadmissible. A Florida theft attorney is dedicated to restoring your future and protecting your rights.
When you are faced with possible incarceration, the U.S. Constitution affords you the opportunity to let a capable attorney represent you before a jury of your peers. We look at all aspects of your situation, weigh evidence, depose witnesses, and craft a strong defense that fits the facts. Even if the evidence is strongly against you, all is not lost, because we negotiate well with local prosecutors for other alternatives that might save you from prison. These alternatives include:
Remember, do not lose hope if you are arrested. A Florida theft lawyer with The Umansky Law Firm will apply skill and knowledge at every step of the process, fighting valiantly to get you a second chance.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
