Grand Theft

Experienced Defense Attorneys Serving People in Jacksonville

If you are arrested for grand theft in Florida, you may be facing a felony offense that carries severe penalties for a conviction. At Ellis and Bryant, we can defend people against grand theft charges and help them seek to avoid unnecessary penalties. Our Jacksonville theft crime lawyers can review the facts and evidence to determine an appropriate strategy in a grand theft case, shoplifting case, or any other criminal matter.

Florida Grand Theft Offenses

Theft is the crime of knowingly obtaining or using, or attempting to obtain or use, someone else’s property with the intent to deprive them of it. Florida theft offenses are categorized by factors such as the type of property allegedly stolen, the value of that property, and other circumstances. In some cases, the value of the property can mean the difference between a misdemeanor or a felony charge. In Florida, grand theft is a felony offense for more serious theft crimes involving high dollar items. While grand theft may be charged for stolen property with a value of $750 or more, petit theft is generally a misdemeanor offense for stolen property valued under $750. A grand theft offense may be classified as a felony of the first, second, or third degree, depending on the allegations involved in the case. A skilled theft crime attorney can help you fight to have your charges potentially reduced or dismissed.

Grand Theft in the Third Degree

Grand theft of the third degree is a third degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to up to 5 years in prison or 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine. A third degree grand theft charge may arise out of multiple situations, including the following:

• Theft of property with a value of at least $750, but less than $20,000;
• Theft of a firearm;
• Theft of a motor vehicle;
• Theft of any amount of a controlled substance;
• Taking a stop sign;
• Stealing from a designated construction site;
• Theft of a will or other testamentary instrument;
• Theft of any commercially farmed animal, or theft of a bee colony or aquaculture species from a registered or certified facility;
• Theft of a fire extinguisher installed in any building for fire prevention purposes.

Grand Theft in the Second Degree

Grand theft in the second degree is a more serious charge. A conviction is punishable as a felony of the second degree, with penalties that may include a prison sentence of up to 15 years or 15 years of probation, and/or a $10,000 fine. Grand theft in the second degree may apply in the following situations: theft of property with a value of at least $20,000, but less than $100,000; theft of cargo valued under $50,000 that has entered the stream of commerce; theft of emergency medical equipment valued at $300 or more, taken from a licensed facility, aircraft, or vehicle; or theft of law enforcement equipment valued at $300 or more, taken from an authorized emergency vehicle.

Grand Theft in the First Degree

Grand theft in the first degree carries some of the harshest penalties for a conviction. This offense is a first degree felony, punishable by a maximum prison term of 30 years and a fine up to $10,000. Florida law provides that grand theft in the first degree is committed under the following circumstances: theft of property valued at $100,000 or more; theft of a semi-trailer that was deployed by law enforcement; theft of cargo valued at $50,000 or more that has entered the stream of commerce; grand theft in which the offender uses a motor vehicle to commit the offense (other than solely as a getaway vehicle), and damages real property; or grand theft in which the offender causes over $1,000 in property damage.

Contact a Grand Theft Defense Lawyer in Jacksonville

At Ellis and Bryant, our Jacksonville defense attorneys have the experience to represent people facing criminal charges for grand theft and other felony offenses. We can serve residents of Duval and Clay Counties, including Jacksonville Beach, Middleburg, Orange Park, and other locations. Call our office at (904) 551-4120 or contact us online to arrange your free initial consultation.