Being accused of committing a criminal offense of any kind could prove to be an intimidating experience. However, when a criminal accusation involves felony penalties, the implications of a conviction could have a significant impact on your life. With this in mind, it is important to retain legal assistance as soon as possible. With the help of a Plantation felony theft Lawyer, you may be able to mitigate the accusations made against you. To get started, reach out to one of our experienced Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert today,
What is Felony Theft in Plantation?
In Fort Lauderdale and Florida, felony theft is also referred to as “grand theft” with varying different degrees of grand theft. Grand theft cases in Fort Lauderdale and Florida are automatically charged as felonies.
Any theft that involves property or anything valued at $300 or more is grand theft. Particular penalties would depend upon the valuation of the property, but in most cases, any valuation over $300 would be felony theft or grand theft.
Differences Between Felony Theft and Misdemeanor Theft
Like all misdemeanors, the maximum penalty is up to a year in county jail. On the other hand, third-degree felonies are punishable by up to five years in Florida State Prison, second-degree felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in Florida State Prison, and first-degree felonies are punishable by up to 30 years in Florida State Prison.
A felony conviction carries with it the loss of civil liberties, the right to vote, and the right to own or possess a firearm. Individuals who have felony convictions are limited with respect to their employment possibilities because the general consensus is an individual with a felony conviction on their record is deemed not to be trustworthy.
Misdemeanor Theft Offenses Charged as Grand Theft
If an individual has two or more prior convictions on their record for any theft-related case, then that would upgrade a misdemeanor or petty theft case to a felony theft or grand theft, pursuant to Florida Statutes 812.014. That is called an aggravator or enhancement, given the state’s ability to increase the penalties on what would otherwise be a misdemeanor and upgrade the charge to a felony theft case.
Presentable Evidence
When presenting a defense against grand theft charges, it is imperative that you try to obtain as much relevant evidence as possible. In any criminal case, it is recommended to obtain a police report, witness accounts, and any pieces of surveillance. A Plantation felony theft Lawyer could also use your criminal history as a defense if you have never been charged with anything in the past or exhibit characteristics that would question the criminal accusation made against you.
Benefits of Obtaining Legal Representation
One of the benefits of working with an experienced Fort Lauderdale theft lawyer when facing felony theft charges is knowledge of the local Fort Lauderdale or Broward County jurisdiction rules and practices. It is important to hire somebody who is well-versed or who has had experience with a particular jurisdiction or circuit. Knowing what the judges’ tendencies are with respect to granting or not granting pretrial motions, procedural issues, and what their philosophies are in sentencing can assist with negotiations, potentially increasing the chances of a successful resolution.
If you have been formally accused of committing grand theft, you should reach out to a Plantation felony Theft Lawyer as soon as possible. One of our criminal Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert could fight on your behalf to get you the justice you deserve. To get started, call now and schedule a consultation today.
