A long time ago, civilized societies decided that stealing the property of another was wrong. The penalties for stealing are quite different now than they were in the past. Even today, various areas around the world treat theft very differently. It is rumored that in some areas of Africa and Saudi Arabia, the right hand of a convicted thief may be cut off at the wrist as punishment for their crime. The good news is that Florida Law does not go that far. However, the penalties for theft can be quite severe depending on the circumstances of each case.

Florida Statute 812.014 covers Theft, Robbery, and Related crimes. The first part of the Statute states, “A person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanently: (a) Deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from the property; or (b) Appropriate the property to his or her own use or to the use of any person not entitled to the use of the property.” This law then goes on to describe the different levels of theft, which are based on several factors, including, but not limited to, the price of the stolen goods and if damages to the real property of another occurred during the incident.

Hiring an experienced attorney is very important if you have been arrested for theft because, to put it simply, police officers and loss prevention officers do not always understand the complexity of the law. A good lawyer will know what evidence to collect and scrutinize, and will also serve as your representative to demonstrate to the prosecutor that you may have just made a mistake. It will be your attorney who will be able to research your case and find out all the relevant information, such as determining if your driver’s license is at risk if you are convicted of theft under Florida Statute 812.014, which is a possibility (See Florida Statute 812.014(5)(b)).

There are many other aspects of the Florida Law that will affect your case. If it is your first theft offense, the penalties are usually pretty reasonable. You will likely end up with probation or less. However, if you have been convicted of theft before, each new case gets much more serious and can lead to jail or prison time. 

At the end of the day, stealing is never a good idea. But if you made a mistake, or law enforcement made a mistake in judging the situation, you should call us today to schedule a free consultation. Acting fast and being proactive almost always leads to a better result.  Every single day, all around the world, people are in need, and desperate times often lead to desperate measures. On the other hand, some people feel they have to steal things. The need to steal has been classified as an impulse control disorder, called kleptomania. In either situation, Landers & Sternberg can help you get your case resolved, so you can focus on creating a better future for yourself.

Call us now at 407-495-1893 or email Attorney Parker Landers directly at parker@landersandsternberg.com