Grand Theft

There are different types of theft charges in the state of Florida. Under Florida Statutes §812.014, theft is defined as a person committing the act when he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or tries to obtain or use, the property of another with the intent to, either temporarily or permanently, (a) deprive the individual of a right to the property or a benefit from the property, (b) appropriate the property to his or her own use or to the use of any person not whom the property does not belong to. The value of the property or the kind of property stolen can determine the level of the charge.

The new changes to Florida State’s Criminal Justice system increase Florida’s outdated theft threshold. Talking to an experienced criminal defense attorney about criminal charges for grand theft, petit theft, or shoplifting can help you understand the differences between them. The amendment to Florida’s Statute §812.014(2)(c)1, raises the threshold from $300 to $750 for grand theft crimes. The increased amount to $750 is meant to represent the existing $300 adjusted for inflation, reports the Florida Bar.

Understanding your legal options is essential, grand theft is a felony offense and the severity of the consequences can last a lifetime.

Lawyer for Grand Theft Cases in Pensacola, Florida

John Terrezza is a Florida native who has handled multiple criminal defense cases in courthouses in Pensacola in Escambia County, Santa Rosa County in Milton, and in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. He will fight to protect your rights.

If you or someone you know has been charged with theft, call John Terrezza. With offices conveniently located in Pensacola, Florida, John Terrezza is an experienced criminal defense attorney who has a history of zealously fighting for his clients. Act quickly to lessen your chances of jail time or fines. Call (850) 764-5291 now.

Escambia County Grand Theft Crimes Information Center

The Difference between Petit Theft and Grand Theft

Under Florida law, the major difference between petit theft and grand theft is the value of the property stolen.

Petit theft is charged as a misdemeanor with potentially shorter jail sentences. Multiple convictions for petit theft may enhance the charge from a misdemeanor to a felony. For example, the prosecution will charge a person who commits petit theft, and who also has two or more prior convictions for any theft, with a third-degree felony.

Grand theft, however, is a felony offense and usually involves stealing very expensive items or stealing as a part of a scheme to defraud.

Charges and Penalties for Grand Theft

Florida takes theft very seriously. Felony charges for grand theft may range anywhere from third-degree to first-degree charges.

Third-Degree Felony Grand Theft

Under Florida law, grand theft in the third-degree carries a penalty of up to five (5) years in prison (or on probation) and up to $5,000 in fines. Also a defendant can be charged with grand theft in the third-degree, if the property that was stolen is more than $300 but less than $20,000.

Stealing a variety of different items can also constitute a third-degree felony theft. A person is guilty of third-degree grand theft if he or she steals any of the following, even if the value of the stolen property is less than $300:

will, codicil, or another testamentary instrument
motor vehicle
Any commercially farmed animal
There is an additional $10,000 fine if an aquaculture species that was raised in a certified facility is stolen
fire extinguisher;
firearm;
ammonia;
stop sign;
two thousand (2,000) or more individual pieces of citrus fruit;
items taken from a construction site; or
any controlled substance as defined in Florida Statute §893.02.

Second-Degree Felony Grand Theft

Grand theft is considered a second-degree felony, in Florida, if the property stolen is valued at $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000.

Stealing any of the following items can also constitute a grand theft in the second-degree:

emergency medical equipment taken from a Chapter 395 facility that is valued at $300 or more;
emergency medical equipment taken from an aircraft or vehicle under Chapter 401
cargo valued at less than $50,000 that has entered the stream of commerce;
law enforcement equipment valued at $300 or more, that is taken from an authorized emergency vehicle (See Florida Statute §316.003)

A grand theft crime charged as a second-degree felony is punishable by up to fifteen (15) years of prison (or probation) and a $10,000 fine.

First-Degree Felony Grand Theft

The punishment for a first-degree felony is up to thirty (30) years of prison (or probation) and up to $20,000 in fines. If the property that is stolen is valued at $100,000 or more, then the offense is grand theft in the first-degree.

Stealing any one of the following items also constitutes a first-degree felony:

law enforcement semitrailer
cargo valued at $50,000 or more that entered the stream of commerce

Additionally, if the offender commits grand theft and in the course of committing the offense, the defendant does any of the following:

uses a motor vehicle (other than merely as a getaway) to assist in committing the offense, and in doing so damages another person's property; or

in the course of committing the theft, the offender causes more than $1,000 in damage to another’s person's property.

Additional Resources

Florida Statute §812.014 - Visit the Florida Legislature website to read the entire statutory language describing the definition of grand theft. Also, find Title XLVI in Chapter 812 for theft, robbery, and related property crimes.

“Dealing in Stolen Property, Grand Theft, and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel” – Visit FloridaBar.Org the official website for the State Bar of Florida. The site has an article that discusses the criminal charges related to buying and selling stolen property.

Finding a Lawyer for Grand Theft in Escambia County, FL

If you were arrested for Grand Theft, call an experienced criminal defense attorney in Escambia County. With offices located in Pensacola, FL, John Terrezza has a history of zealously fighting for his clients charged with felony and misdemeanor offenses throughout courthouses in Escambia County and Milton in Santa Rosa County.

Act quickly to lessen your chances of jail time or fines. John Terrezza’s office is located on West Garden St. in Downtown Pensacola, just minutes from the Blue Wahoos Stadium. Call (850) 764-5291 now for a free and confidential consultation.