A client was charged with Petit Theft from Target. We met with the client and figured out that she and a friend were both arrested on the same charge on the same day in the same store. The client and her friend arrived at the store together and then went in opposite directions to commit their crimes. The defendant was a middle-aged woman who had never been in trouble with the law prior to this incident. While the case seemed like it should’ve been charged as a felony scheme to defraud case, our lawyers were able to convince the prosecutor to leave it as a misdemeanor charge. Also, we were able to convince the prosecutor to put the client into a first offender program. Upon completion of this program, the defendant’s charges will be dropped by the State of Florida. After the defendant’s charges are dropped, the defendant can decide to expunge her record if she chooses. This will allow her to legally deny that anything ever happened with this case.
If you were charged with theft from a store such as Target, contact one of our Orlando theft attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm today. Our phone number is (407) 228-3838. If you are underage and commit crimes such as shoplifting and burglary, we are also experienced Florida juvenile lawyers. There is a unique difference between committing crimes as a juvenile and an adult, so you want a lawyer that thoroughly understands the separate laws to be able to give you the best representation you deserve for your case.
The State of Florida takes theft crimes very seriously. The threshold for grand theft, a felony offense, is a mere $750 — one of the lowest in the nation. Anything below that threshold is considered “petit theft.” Petit theft is the lowest-level theft crime in Florida. It may be a second-degree misdemeanor or a first-degree misdemeanor offense, depending on the value of the stolen property. If you face either type of charge, our attorneys can help you defend yourself
A person can face a charge of second-degree petit theft for taking property valued at less than $100. The consequences are often not worth the value of the property. A person may face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.
If the property allegedly stolen is valued at between $100 and $300, the alleged offender faces charges of first-degree petit theft. This is a serious offense which may lead to:
In general, taking property that does not belong to you is never worth the penalties you may face upon a conviction. At the Umansky Law Firm, we understand that mistakes are made every day on both sides of the law. Contact our Orlando larceny defense attorneys at (407) 228-3838 or email us a description of your case for a free consultation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
