West Palm Beach Grand Theft Lawyer
Defending Against Grand Theft Charges in West Palm Beach
Grand theft has a simple definition in Florida. It is a felony charge for unlawfully stealing an amount of somebody else’s property that is worth more than $300. If you are charged with this crime, you should consult an experienced West Palm Beach grand theft lawyer to advise you regarding your case. You could face serious penalties if you are convicted, so you should not travel this road alone.
Degrees of Grand Theft
A Florida prosecutor must show two things to support a charge of grand theft. First, the defendant must have deprived somebody of the right to use their property or the benefit of it. Moreover, the defendant must have appropriated the property for the defendant’s personal use or the personal use of somebody else who was not entitled to use the property. There are three degrees of grand theft that carry increasing penalties if a defendant is convicted.
Grand theft is charged as a first-degree felony if the property stolen is valued at more than $100,000, or if it is shipping cargo that is worth more than $50,000. A defendant convicted of first-degree grand theft may face a prison sentence of between 21 months and 30 years, 30 years of probation, or a maximum fine of $10,000.
Grand theft is charged as a second-degree felony if the property stolen is valued at between $20,000 and $100,000, or if it is shipping cargo that is worth under $50,000, or if it is emergency medical equipment worth more than $300. A defendant convicted of second-degree grand theft may face a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, 15 years of probation, or a maximum fine of $10,000.
Grand theft is charged as a third-degree felony if the property stolen is valued at less than $20,000 but more than $300, or if it is a will or testamentary instrument, a firearm, or a motor vehicle. A defendant convicted of third-degree grand theft may face a maximum prison sentence of five years, five years of probation, or a maximum fine of $5,000.
A West Palm Beach Theft Lawyer Can Assist You
Grand theft is a serious offense. In the moment, you may not think you will get caught, or perhaps you didn’t commit the crime but were charged due to mistake. Whatever your particular circumstances, you should be aware that a grand theft conviction can result in both legal and social penalties that you may not be able to afford. Jobs that require background checks or professional licenses, as well as certain educational opportunities, may be permanently off-limits to you, even after you serve time.
I am an experienced West Palm Beach grand theft attorney. My 38 years of experience, five of which were spent in the prosecutor’s office, can help me protect your the many rights you have as a criminal defendant. You can reach me at either of my two offices. One is located in West Palm Beach, near I-95 and PGA Boulevard. The other is located in West Palm Beach. Schedule a free initial consultation by calling 561-533-1221 or contact me through my online form. I accept credit cards.
