Theft crimes can occur anywhere at any time under ordinary or unusual circumstances. Their prevalence, however, does not necessarily make them minor offenses. Under certain conditions, they can lead to serious penalties.
If you face a charge for theft, take the time to schedule a consultation with one of our trusted Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert. Talking to a Sunrise theft Lawyer could put you in a better position to minimize the ill effects that could emerge.
Theft and Grand Theft under Sunrise Law
A basic theft offense under Sunrise law occurs when someone takes or attempts to take someone else’s property and then uses it for their own purposes. According to §812.014 of the Florida Statutes, the person who takes the property must know that doing so deprives the owner of something they are entitled to, even if the taker does not plan to keep the property permanently. The distinction between this type of theft and grand theft has mainly to do with value.
Theft qualifies as first-degree grand theft when someone:
- Takes a semitrailer put in place by the police
- Takes property worth at least $100,000
- Takes cargo worth at least $50,000 that has entered the stream of commerce after shipment from a loading dock to a receiving dock
- Carries out grand theft of any degree and causes more than $1,000 worth of property damage
- Carries out grand theft of any degree using a motor vehicle for a purpose other than as getaway transportation
Grand theft of the second degree occurs when someone takes property worth at least $20,000 but less than $100,000, cargo worth less than $50,000 that has entered the stream of commerce, at least $300 worth of law enforcement property from an emergency vehicle, or at least $300 worth of emergency medical property from certain places or vehicles. Similarly, differences in the property taken, its value, or where it comes from may lower a Felony from third-degree to second-degree. Someone charged with Misdemeanor or Felony theft in Sunrise could learn more about how to avoid a conviction or reduce a penalty by speaking with an Attorney.
Factors Affecting Penalties for Robbery
The offense of robbery involves taking valuables from a person or a person’s property in a way that includes violence, force, or the causing of fear. As explained in Florida Statutes §812.13 and 812.14, the degree of the crime increases if the accused uses a weapon during continuously flowing events that occur before, during, or after an alleged offense or while fleeing from a completed or attempted one. Robbery without a weapon qualifies as a second-degree Felony, and robbery with a weapon qualifies as a first-degree Felony for which, if the weapon is deadly, the penalty may extend to life in prison.
Someone who takes valuables from the person of another who then becomes aware of the taking as it happens commits the offense of burglary by sudden snatching. This offense constitutes a second-degree Felony when it involves a deadly weapon and a third-degree Felony when it does not. Someone facing any robbery charge in Sunrise has reason to consult with a theft Attorney regarding how their case could play out and any legal strategies or defenses that may prove useful.
Treat a Theft Charge Cautiously by Contacting a Lawyer
Making assumptions that your case will resolve on its own is a costly misjudgment that many charged individuals make. No matter the details of your crime, a criminal conviction on your record could cause you to live a different life than one you may have hoped for.
For help with avoiding a possible conviction, get in touch with one of our well-versed attorneys at Leifert & Leifert today. A Sunrise theft Lawyer could prove to be your best option for getting a positive resolution to your case. Call today to get started.
