There are three different levels of felony theft in West Palm Beach. They are classified based on the value of the property in question. Property valued at $300 to $20,000 is considered a third-degree felony, $20,000 to $100,000 is a second-degree felony, and over $100,000 is a first-degree felony.

To best understand the varying degrees of felony theft in West Palm Beach, it is imperative to consult with an experienced lawyer immediately. A West Palm Beach theft attorney can help explain this area of the law as well as defend against any theft charge you may be facing.

Levels of Theft

The first level of felony theft in West Palm Beach involves the taking of a property worth more than $300. That is classified as a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. This classification involves property valued at between $300 and $20,000.

If the value of the property that was taken is more than $20,000 and up to or below $100,000, that will be classified as a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

If the amount of property that was alleged to have been taken is over $100,000, that will be a first-degree felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison.

Felony vs. Misdemeanor Charges

Felony theft in West Palm Beach is defined as the taking of the property of another without their consent. This must be done with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the person of the use or benefit of that property.

Felonies are serious crimes, and misdemeanors, by definition, are minor crimes. The difference between felony theft and misdemeanor theft revolves around the value of the property that was taken. A felony theft would be the taking of a property valued at at least $300, and a misdemeanor theft would be the taking of a property valued under $300.

Potential Penalties

Penalties for felony theft in West Palm Beach can include the label of a convicted felon. These individuals can be sentenced to time in prison, serve jail probation, community service fines, or any combination thereof.

Being a convicted felon means an individual loses the right to vote, and the right to travel. An individual loses a lot of civil rights when convicted, whether it is a theft conviction or not, so the penalties are much more severe than a misdemeanor. Therefore, a felony theft is much more severe than a misdemeanor theft.

With a felony theft in West Palm Beach, a convicted individual is looking at anywhere from between five and 25 years in prison. For a misdemeanor theft, the maximum penalty would be somewhere between 60 days to a year in jail, depending on the type of theft, or if there are any prior convictions.

Role of an Attorney

Obviously, not everyone who commits a theft, whether it is a felony or a misdemeanor, goes to jail. It is the defense lawyer’s job to get the client exonerated. If they cannot get the client exonerated, then they are tasked with getting the charges or sentence down as low as possible. To best defend against such a charge, an individual should not hesitate before contacting an attorney.

Felony Theft in West Palm Beach
Palm Beach Gardens
  • Palm Beach Gardens
  • 800 Village Square Crossing
    Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
  • Wellington
  • 12230 Forest Hill Blvd
    Wellington, FL 33414
  • Ft Lauderdale
  • 6550 N. Federal Highway
    Suite #220
    Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
  • West Palm Beach
  • 2101 Vista Parkway
    #1006
    West Palm Beach, FL 33411
  • Delray Beach
  • 2160 W Atlantic Ave
    2nd Floor
    Delray Beach, FL 33445
  • Plantation
  • 1200 S Pine Island Rd
    #220
    Plantation, FL 33324
  • Boca Raton
  • 10055 Yamato Road
    Suite 509
    Boca Raton, FL 33498
  • West Palm Beach
  • 2101 Vista Parkway
    #1006
    West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Palm Beach  Gardens
Wellington
Ft Lauderdale
west palm beach location
Delray Beach
Plantation-location