types of theft in florida
Know the Difference Between Petty Theft vs. Grand Theft
Larceny. Stealing. Robbery. They’re all terms you may use to define specific crimes. In the State of Florida, this type of crime is legally called theft. Florida Statute 812.014 defines that theft occurs when someone knowingly obtains, uses or endeavors to another person’s property – either temporarily or permanently – with criminal intent.
Knowing the type of theft laws in Florida is important, because if you’re charged with theft, you could be facing either a misdemeanor or a felony. The seriousness of a theft charge – and the punishment for that theft charge – is typically related the value of the stolen property.
Types of theft in Florida
Petty theft (also called petit theft) involves stolen property valued at $299 or less and is considered to be a misdemeanor in most cases. There are two types of petty theft in Florida:
A person who commits a petty theft who has a prior theft conviction will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. A person who commits petty theft who has two or more prior theft convictions will be charged with a third-degree felony.
Petty theft v. grand theft
Compared to petty theft, grand theft involves stolen property valued at between $300 all the way up to $100,000 or more. It also includes specific types of stolen property. There are three types of grand theft in Florida:
If you’ve been charged with petty theft or grand theft in Florida, you may face serious consequences. You want an attorney on your side who knows Florida theft laws and who will provide you with a plan of action. The attorneys at Filler & Hedum Law in Longwood, Seminole County, will passionately and vigorously defend your rights.
Larceny. Stealing. Robbery. They’re all terms you may use to define specific crimes. In the State of Florida, this type of crime is legally called theft. Florida Statute 812.014 defines that theft occurs when someone knowingly obtains, uses or endeavors to another person’s property – either temporarily or permanently – with criminal intent.
Knowing the type of theft laws in Florida is important, because if you’re charged with theft, you could be facing either a misdemeanor or a felony. The seriousness of a theft charge – and the punishment for that theft charge – is typically related the value of the stolen property.
Types of theft in Florida
Petty theft (also called petit theft) involves stolen property valued at $299 or less and is considered to be a misdemeanor in most cases. There are two types of petty theft in Florida:
- Second-degree petty theft – This occurs when the stolen property is valued at less than $100. It’s punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor, with punishment of up to 60 days imprisonment and up to $500 in fines.
- First-degree petty theft – This occurs when the stolen property is valued between $100-$299. It’s punishable as a first-degree misdemeanor, with punishment of up to 1 year imprisonment and a up to $1,000 in fines.
A person who commits a petty theft who has a prior theft conviction will be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor. A person who commits petty theft who has two or more prior theft convictions will be charged with a third-degree felony.
Petty theft v. grand theft
Compared to petty theft, grand theft involves stolen property valued at between $300 all the way up to $100,000 or more. It also includes specific types of stolen property. There are three types of grand theft in Florida:
- Third-degree grand theft – This occurs when the stolen property is valued between $300-$19,999, or when the property taken is a firearm, motor vehicle, commercially farmed animal, fire extinguisher, citrus fruit (2,000 or more individual pieces), or stop sign. It’s punishable as a third-degree felony, with punishment of up to 5 years imprisonment and up to $5,000 in fines.
- Second-degree grand theft – This occurs when the stolen property is valued between $20,000-$99,999. It’s punishable as a second-degree felony, with punishment of up to 15 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines.
- First-degree grand theft – This first-degree felony occurs when the stolen property is valued at $100,000 or more. It’s punishable as a first-degree felony, with punishment of up to 30 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines.
If you’ve been charged with petty theft or grand theft in Florida, you may face serious consequences. You want an attorney on your side who knows Florida theft laws and who will provide you with a plan of action. The attorneys at Filler & Hedum Law in Longwood, Seminole County, will passionately and vigorously defend your rights.
Free Consultation and Criminal Law Case Review
To learn more about your legal rights in a theft case, call Filler & Hedum Law today for a free consultation. We’ll sit with you, answer all of your questions, outline a specific plan of attack that we will use for your defense, and fully explain all costs and fees associated with your defense. It is your life. There are no games, no secrets, no surprises with Filler & Hedum Law – just complete truth, commitment and legal expertise.
Choices matter. Choose Wisely. Choose Filler & Hedum Law – 407-772-0700.
Choices matter. Choose Wisely. Choose Filler & Hedum Law – 407-772-0700.
