Orlando Theft Lawyer

Offering Criminal Defense Services to Clients Accused of Florida Theft Crimes

PANELLA LAW FIRM ACCEPTS CASES THROUGHOUT FLORIDA

If you were charged with a theft offense in Central Florida, you should contact Orlando theft defense lawyers for legal support as soon as possible. You don’t want a conviction for misdemeanor or felony theft on your criminal record, since this can result in jail time, fines, and other penalties. So, instead of simply pleading guilty to your theft charge, reach out to an Orlando theft defense lawyer to find out what criminal defense angle could work for your case. Contact our law firm for a free consultation with our team.

Were You Charged with Petit Theft?

If you’re facing theft charges, you should learn what to expect from the legal process before beginning your case. This starts with knowing what’s considered theft and how theft charges are categorized according to Florida law.

In this state, theft is defined as taking someone else’s property with no plans to return it, temporarily or permanently depriving them of having their property in their possession or having a chance to profit from it. Like most criminal charges, theft charges are divided into misdemeanor and felony offenses. This is determined by the value of the stolen property.

Florida law refers to a misdemeanor theft crime as petit theft, which describes theft cases where the stolen property is valued under $750. There are two degrees of petit theft. If the value of the stolen property totals less than $100, it’s second-degree petit theft. Also called petty theft, this second-degree misdemeanor could result in up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

If the property stolen is worth at least $100 but less than $750, the theft crime is called first-degree petit theft, a first-degree misdemeanor. The punishment for this is up to one year in jail and up to $1,000 in fines. If you’re worried that you’ll be convicted of petty theft and will have to spend time in jail, you should contact a skilled Orlando theft defense lawyer to fight your misdemeanor theft charges for you.

Were You Accused of Grand Theft?

If you’re charged with stealing property worth $750 or more, your theft crime is a felony. In Florida, felony theft charges are referred to as grand theft, and they’re divided into three degrees.

If the stolen property is valued between $750 and $20,000, the offense is considered third-degree grand theft. However, theft of certain items will result in this theft charge even if they’re not worth over $750. For example, if you’re accused of stealing a firearm, stop sign, will, fire extinguisher, motor vehicle, illegal drugs, or other specific items, you could get this third-degree felony charge. The penalties for a conviction include up to five years in prison or probation, as well as a $5,000 fine.

If the value of the stolen items is at least $20,000 but less than $100,000, you’ll be charged with second-degree grand theft. This is a second-degree felony that could lead to up to 15 years in prison or probation and a $10,000 fine.

If the property stolen has a monetary value of $100,000 or more, your theft crime is a first-degree grand theft offense. This first-degree felony has the most serious consequences of all theft crimes, as it can result in any combination of up to $10,000 in fines, 30 years in prison, and 30 years of probation. While your specific criminal penalties will vary based on the details of your Orlando theft case, it’s essential to know that a first-degree grand theft conviction typically has a minimum jail term of 21 months.

An experienced Orlando criminal defense lawyer will ensure you understand which criminal theft charges you’re facing based on the monetary value and type of items you allegedly stole. If you’re ready to talk to skilled theft lawyers who have dealt with the Central Florida criminal justice system for years, contact our Orlando law firm for a free consultation.

What Are Common Legal Defenses for Theft Charges?

If you were caught with stolen property that you took from a retail store, someone else’s wallet, or from any other source, you might worry that there’s no way to avoid jail time and a felony or misdemeanor on your record forever. While you should take theft charges seriously, you shouldn’t lose hope. Experienced Orlando theft lawyers can provide the aggressive defense that your case requires, whether you’re facing a first-degree misdemeanor or felony.

You might be surprised at the number of ways our legal team can defend you from the serious consequences of a criminal conviction. When you contact us to learn about your legal options, we’ll carefully review your case to find one or more defense strategies that could work for your case.

For example, we might look for ways to show that you didn’t intend to steal the item. After all, to be convicted of a theft crime, the prosecutor must show you intended to commit theft. If your shoplifting lawyer can show that you took the item with the good faith belief that you had a right to it, you may be able to avoid being proven guilty.

An experienced criminal defense lawyer can also determine if you’re eligible for a diversion or intervention program that lets you avoid serious penalties as long as you don’t have a prior theft conviction on your record. If you don’t qualify for such a program and you’re found guilty of the crime, your lawyer may be able to work out a plea deal so you can reduce or avoid jail time. Contact us for a free consultation with caring, skilled criminal defense attorneys in Central Florida.

How Can an Orlando Theft Lawyer Help You?

Whether you’ve been charged with misdemeanor or felony theft, you’ll need legal assistance for the best chance to get your charges dropped or reduced. Having a theft crime conviction on your criminal record will not only result in jail and fines but could also prevent you from working in certain industries involving money and high-value items. This is why it’s critical that you do everything possible to avoid being convicted, starting by hiring an attorney who has successfully argued numerous cases like yours.

When you come to Panella Law Firm for legal defense services, our lawyers will explain your charges to you and make sure you know what the legal penalties will likely be if you’re convicted. Then we’ll examine the circumstances of the alleged theft and the resulting arrest to identify the best defense option, whether that’s proving that you didn’t intend to steal or that the police violated your rights. No matter what defense angle we decide on, you can rest assured that we’ll find evidence to support it before representing you in court.

If you have questions about your charges or are ready to get help with your criminal case, contact our Central Florida law firm at 407-602-6559 to schedule a free consultation with compassionate, skilled Orlando theft defense lawyers.