Orlando Theft Lawyer
If you have been accused of theft, your number one priority should be securing your freedom. Let a trained Orlando criminal attorney fight for you. The experienced lawyers at Parikh Law are well-versed in the laws of the Sunshine State.
If Orlando police did not follow protocol in arresting you or if there is not enough evidence against you, a theft lawyer will work to get the charges against you dropped. If the state has a strong case, we will do everything possible to get you a plea bargain.
What Is Considered Theft?
When one person or a group of people deprives someone of their property or their ability to profit from their property, they have committed theft. A person must be aware of the fact that property belongs to somebody else for criminal theft charges to hold up.
If one person takes another person’s property away from them for a short period, such as a few seconds or an hour, the charges may not hold up in court. A theft crime only occurs if the person who took the property intended to deprive the owner of the use of that property either permanently or temporarily.
Misdemeanor Theft
Misdemeanor theft, or petit theft as it is sometimes called, involves taking money or property that is valued at under $750. It doesn’t matter if the property is from a business or a person. Just because a person steals something that is of little value does not mean they will not be punished harshly. Orlando is tough on crime.
If you steal under $100, it is considered a second-degree misdemeanor in Orlando. If you are convicted of stealing over $100 worth of money or property, it is considered a first-degree misdemeanor. Penalties for a first-degree misdemeanor vary. It depends on how many prior offenses you may have committed.
A second-degree misdemeanor conviction may result in:
- Probation
- $500 in fees
- Up to 60 days in jail
If you have a prior criminal conviction of theft, the charge may be upgraded to a first-degree misdemeanor, even if you were convicted of stealing less than $100.
A first-degree misdemeanor may be punished with:
- Fines of up to $1000
- Up to one year in jail
- Community service
An additional conviction of theft may be upgraded to a third-degree felony. This may come with a sentence of five years in prison and $5000 in fines.
If you are charged with any kind of theft in Orlando, you should contact a theft attorney to discuss your case. If you are convicted of theft, criminal penalties are not the only thing you have to worry about. You may have trouble getting jobs, loans, and even an apartment going forward.
How We Defend Our Clients
When you hire a criminal defense lawyer from Parikh Law, our trained theft attorneys will use several tactics in your defense. We will ensure that you were not mistaken for another person or falsely accused of the crime. If you did not possess the items you are charged with stealing or if the items are valueless, we may be able to have the charges thrown out. If you found the things you are accused of stealing as opposed to taking them with intent, our Orlando theft lawyers will work hard to prove it.
Grand Theft
If a person steals something that cost over $750, they will be charged with grand theft. Grand theft is a felony in the state of Florida. As with most crimes, the punishment a convict will receive is based on the severity of the crime. You may need to hire an Orlando criminal law firm to protect you.
Third Degree Felony
A third-degree grand theft occurs when a person steals money or goods worth over $750 but under $20,000. The value of certain items may be depreciated for their age and their wear and tear. For example, if you stole a brand new computer, it would be worth more than one that was two years old.
There are certain items a person can steal that will fall under the category of third-degree grand theft regardless of monetary value. Items that fall into this category would include.
- A firearm
- A will or modification to a will
- Fire extinguisher
- More than 2000 pieces of fruit
- A farm animal used for commercial purposes
- Certain controlled substances
- Stop signs
A third-degree felony conviction may come with up to five years in jail. You may also face penalties of up to $5000 and community service.
Being charged with felony theft crimes will adversely affect you for the rest of your life. The Orlando theft lawyers at Parikh Law will fight hard to protect your freedom if you are charged with such a crime. We can work to get charges reduced to a misdemeanor or dismissed.
Second Degree Felony
A second-degree grand theft takes place when a person steals an item that is worth over $2000 but under $100,000. As with a third-degree felony, certain items will fall under the category of a second-degree felony no matter what they are. These items include:
- Cargo that is in transit from a port to a receiver’s facility by an inter or intrastate carrier
- Medical emergency equipment worth over $300
- Law enforcement equipment worth over $300. The equipment must be taken from an emergency vehicle
Penalties for a Second Degree Conviction
A second-degree theft charge can come with penalties of $10,000 and a prison sentence of up to 15 years.
First Degree Felony Charges
If a person steals an item that is valued at $100,000 or more, it is considered first-degree grand theft. If a person commits a second or third-degree grand theft and they cause property damage in the course of their theft or if the damages were over $1,000, it is considered a first-degree offense. Again, there are certain items that a person can steal that will fall under the category of a first-degree felony even if they had a lower value. These items include:
- Cargo worth $50,000 and being transported from a port to a facility.
- A semi-trailer used for law enforcement purposes at the time of the crime.
You may receive a sentence of up to 30 years in prison for first-degree felony theft. You may also be fined up to $10,000.
Other Penalties for a Conviction
Penalties will always be greater if you have a prior theft conviction. A first-degree grand theft conviction may follow a person forever. It is imperative that you hire a theft attorney in Orlando to assist you when you have been charged with theft.
Proving Intent
One of the most important things the prosecutor must establish during a theft case is that the accused had an intent to steal the property. If you had no intention of taking something that belonged to you or if you were unaware that it belonged to another person, a theft lawyer will use that in the fight to protect your freedom.
Call Us Today
Our team works tirelessly to research every case that we take on. Our law firm is committed to the concept that a person is innocent until proven guilty. We want to protect your rights and freedoms. Contact us for an effective theft defense in Orlando, Florida.