Theft Crimes Lawyer Brevard County
Our Melbourne theft crimes defense attorneys offer dedicated legal representation for individuals facing misdemeanor and felony cases involving theft charges. If a person is convicted of a theft crime, this jeopardizes freedom, damages reputation, and has lasting effects on future employment and personal life. When you need a theft crimes lawyer Brevard County residents trust for skilled legal defense, Platt, Cole, Russell & Simpson, PLLC stands out. We protect clients’ legal rights when facing theft charges of all types, from simple shoplifting to complex theft crimes.
To schedule a free consultation, call 321-725-3425, call toll-free at 833-922-0554, or contact us online. We’ll explain your legal rights and start crafting a strong defense for your criminal charges.
Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyers Representing Defendants Facing Theft Charges in Brevard County, Florida
If you’re facing criminal charges, you need a knowledgeable theft crime attorney in Melbourne, FL, to protect your rights. We’ve had success when navigating thousands of theft cases in local courts, working to safeguard clients’ reputation, professional licenses, jobs, and housing along the way. Throughout the process, we fight criminal charges with proven legal defenses.
If you’re facing theft charges in Brevard County, contact a Melbourne theft crimes lawyer for a free initial consultation today.
Brevard County Theft Crimes Attorney Team Defending Your Legal Rights in Melbourne, Palm Bay, and Cocoa Courts
Our Melbourne theft crimes attorneys have years of experience fighting criminal charges in Brevard County criminal courtrooms. This includes cases in Palm Bay, Cocoa Beach, Cape Canaveral, and other local jurisdictions. Our attorneys offer compassionate but fair advice and work to ensure the best result by providing personalized attention to each client’s criminal matters, contesting the evidence gathered against clients, identifying issues with alleged victims’ statements, or finding issues surrounding arrests. We use this to conduct skilled negotiations to have cases dropped or dismissed when the client is eligible or preparing for trials in Brevard County criminal courts to secure acquittals.
Petit Theft (Misdemeanor Charges)
In Florida, petit theft crimes involve unlawfully taking someone else’s property worth less than $750.
| Level | Property Value | Maximum Jail Time | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Second Degree | Less than $100 | Up to 60 days | Up to $500 |
| First Degree | $100 to less than $750 | Up to 1 year | Up to $1,000 |
If convicted, the the penaties vary by the value of stolen property and whether the defendant has previously been convicted. For prior convictions, petit theft crimes are elevated to felonies. If you’ve been arrested for petit theft charges in Brevard County, Florida, you need a knowledgeable misdemeanor defense.
Grand Theft (Felony Charges)
Misdemeanor and felony cases are determined by the value and type of property taken. Here is how felony theft crimes in Brevard County, Florida are categorized:
| Level | Property Value | Maximum Prison Sentence (in years) | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third Degree | $750 to less than $20,000 | 5 | Up to $5,000 |
| Second Degree | $20,000 to less than $100,000 | 15 | Up to $10,000 |
| First Degree | $100,000 or more | 30 | Up to $10,000 |
Vehicles, firearms, commercial cargo, and other qualifying items are automatically felony theft crimes in Florida, regardless of the property’s value. Our Melbourne theft crimes defense attorneys determine whether the state can prove intent and build strong defenses by arguing cost determination, questioning witness credibility, and negotiating to have charges reduced or dropped when possible, when providing felony defense.
Grand Theft Auto
In Florida, grand theft auto applies when a person is accused of stealing a vehicle with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive the owner of it. Most auto theft cases are considered third-degree felonies, regardless of how much the vehicle is worth. If convicted, the defendant is subject to serious consequences including up to 5 years jail time, probation, and a $5,000 fine. If the vehicle is worth $20,000 or more, or for other aggravating factors, the person faces increased penalties. In both circumstances, the defendant may be ordered to pay restitution to the property owner in addition to other consequences. If you’re facing grand theft charges, you need to retain the counsel of a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney to protect your rights.
Business Theft and Embezzlement
Florida’s general theft laws apply to company theft and embezzlement. A person faces theft charges for embezzlement when they unlawfully take someone else’s property or money, often during the course of employment. Embezzlement cases often involve payroll fraud, credit card theft, expense reimbursement schemes, inventory diversion, or unauthorized electronic transfers. Like other theft crimes, Brevard County criminal courts determine charges depending on the value of the stolen property or funds. In addition to incarceration and fines, courts may order restitution to the company for financial losses. In larger schemes, prosecutors may also pursue enhanced penalties under Florida’s organized fraud statutes.
The Melbourne theft crimes lawyers at our law offices represent business owners and individuals accused of embezzlement. We understand the complexities of employment-related embezzlement and hire forensic accountants to help raise reasonable doubt. We protect your rights and do our best to minimize the impacts on professional reputations throughout the process of providing white-collar defense.
Retail Theft and Shoplifting Defense
Shoplifting and retail theft charges in Brevard County range depending on the cost of items stolen and whether the defendant has previously been convicted. A person can also be charged with shopllifting if they alter price tags, switch containers, remove security devices, or transfer merchandise to avoid payment. Repeat offenses and organized retail schemes can lead to enhanced charges. A Melbourne theft defense lawyer from our legal team can help protect your legal rights and work to secure favorable evidence to build a strong potential defense.
Identity Theft, Forgery, Check and Credit Card Fraud
If you’re arrested for fraud theft crimes in central Florida, you need a knowledgable criminal defense attorney. An arrest for fraud charges often occurs after the state has secured financial records, electronic data, and other evidence gathered against the defendant. We challenge the prosecutions methods for securing favorable evidence to their cases, question whether state attorneys can prove you knowingly committed fraud. Our Melbourne theft defense attorney team has years of experience defending allegations involving stolen credit cards, unauthorized us of another person’s information, and other similar fraud cases.
Theft of Services
In Florida, theft of services is prosecuted when a person intentionally obtains a service without paying for it, intending to avoid payment. This can include utilities, transportation, lodging, labor, etc. The offense level depends on the circumstances. Less than $750 is petit theft and $750 or more is felony theft. Our theft defense lawyer in Melbourne, FL, have years of experience defending clients accused of failing to pay for restaurant meals, hotel accommodations, contracted labor, and more. We examine whether state prosecutors can prove intent to deprive the business or whether a dispute explains the situation.
Juvenile Theft Crimes
Juvenile theft crimes are handled in Florida’s juvenile justice system. Here, the accused must be a minor. Our Melbourne theft defense attorneys often defend minors charged with shoplifting, dealing in stolen property, petit or grand theft. Consequences in juvenile court rooms focus on supervision and rehabilitation rather than incarceration. Potential sentencing can include:
Diversion or civil citation programs
Probation supervision
Community service
Restitution to the victim
Counseling or intervention classes
Juvenile detention in more serious or repeat cases
Juvenile adjudications for theft charges in central Florida can also result in a driver’s license suspension, even if the offense did not involve a vehicle. For serious theft charges, prosecutors can seek to transfer to the child to adult court where standard penalties would apply. For such Brevard County juvenile crimes, contact a theft crimes defense lawyer in Melbourne, FL.
Property Theft Crime Defense in Brevard County
Burglary
Burglary in Florida applies when a person is accused of illegally entering a dwelling, structure, or conveyance with the intent to commit a crime inside. The types of burglary charge varies depending on the location and whether aggravating factors are present. If convicted, the defendant faces serious consequences. Burglary convictions can result in the following maximum penalties:
Third-Degree Burglary: 5 years imprisonment and $5,000 fine
Second-Degree Burglary: 15 years in imprisonment and $10,000 fine
First-Degree Burglary (often involving assault, battery, armed entry or damage exceeding $1,000): 30 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine
Armed burglary or burglary using force causing bodily injury carries enhanced sentencing. This can include life imprisonment in certain circumstances. A Melbourne theft crimes defense lawyer can challenge whether state prosecutors can prove you intended to commit a crime at the time of entry or whether you had permission to be on the property.
Dealing in Stolen Property
If you’re facing criminal charges for dealing in stolen property in Brevard County, Florida, you need a skilled Melbourne theft defense attorney to navigate the complexities of your case. This is generally charged as a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years prison and a $10,000 fine if convicted, as well as restitution to victims. Our criminal defense attorneys challenge the prosecution’s ability to prove you had knowledge that the property was stolen. These cases often involve complex fact patterns where our legal team can identify issues with the state’s case and negotiate reduced charges when possible.
RICO and Organized Retail Theft Crimes
Florida’s RICO Act allows prosecutors to charge individuals who engage in shoplifting or other theft crimes when multiple people work together in structured schemes. Convictions can result in enhanced penalities, including a 30-year prison sentence, significant fines, forfeiting assets, and restitutions.
Organized retail theft in Florida applies when two or more people coordinate to steal from retail establishments with intent to resell or distribute it. Charges are typically elevated based on the cost of goods stolen within a set time period. Large-scale operations can also trigger racketeering charges in addition to standard penalties for theft charges in Brevard County criminal courts.
These cases require knowledgable theft crimes lawyers in Melbourne, FL. We use surveillance footage, transaction records, and other evidence in prosecutions to create reasonable doubt. These serious charges require an amazing lawyer with knowledge of federal and Florida law who can protect your rights and best interests at every stage.
Understanding Florida Laws: Theft Penalties
How Much Theft is a Felony in Florida?
When the value of property exceeds $750, when certain items are stolen, or when the defendant has previously been convicted (in some cases), the case is typically charged as a felony in Florida.
What is the Punishment For Petty Theft in Florida? (Misdemeanor Cases)
Florida criminal cases involving petty theft are punishable by up to one year of jail time and a $500 fine for first-degree and 60 days in jail and $1,000 fine for second-degree. Both can result in court-ordered probation, restitution to alleged victims, community service, and driver’s license suspension.
Sentence for Grand Theft in Florida
The maximum sentence for grand theft in Florida is as follows. Property valued at
$750 to less than $20,000 is 5 years in prison/probation and a $5,000 fine
$20,000 to less than $100,000 is 15 years in prison/probation and a $10,000 fine
$100,000 or more is 30 years in prison/probation and a $10,000 fine
Enhanced Penalties for Multiple Theft Convictions
Florida law imposes enhanced penalties for defendants with prior theft convictions, potentially upgrading misdemeanor charges to felonies and increasing mandatory minimum sentences. We work to prevent prosecutors from using your past criminal record to unfairly enhance current charges. We challenge whether prior convictions qualify for enhancement under the specific circumstances of your case.
Diversion Programs for Theft Convictions in Brevard County
Our theft defense attorneys in Melbourne, FL, help fight for clients to be able to avoid potential consequences of being convicted by arguing they qualify for pre-trial diversion.
Petit Theft: Florida First-Time Offender
First-time offenders charged with petit theft in Brevard County, Florida, may qualify for pretrial intervention or diversion. Eligible individuals must be accused of non-violent offenses, property below certain thresholds, and have not been previously convicted.
Successful completion of diversion programs can lead to complete dismissals. This avoids them having permanent criminal records and preserves job opportunities.
First-Time Offender Grand Theft
Under Florida criminal law, our theft crimes defense attorneys in Melbourne, Florida, fight for clients’ eligibility to qualify for diversion programs, depending on the circumstances of the offense. To qualify, individuals must be accused of non-violent offenses, theft crimes under certain limits, and have no prior convictions.
Successful completions result in complete dismissals. This helps individuals avoid permanent criminal records, preserving job opportunities, professional licenses, and other legal rights.
Contact a Brevard County Theft Crimes Defense Attorney For a Free Consultation
Our criminal defense attorneys in Melbourne, Florida, offer a free consultation to those facing criminal charges. Here, a Melbourne theft crimes attorney from our law offices explains how we’ll protect your rights and freedom. When retained for legal representation, we start building strong defenses. While defendants can use public defenders, serious criminal matters require skilled Melbourne criminal defense attorneys to give cases the attention they deserve. The longer you wait to contact an attorney, the more you’re leaving your future to chance.
To schedule a free initial consultation, call 321-725-3425 or contact us online.