Miami Grand Theft Lawyer
Defending Clients Accused of Grand Larceny
Property crime tends to be much more common than violent crime pretty much anywhere you look. Miami is no exception, and although there are many different types of property crimes involving theft, grand theft is a felony with a surprisingly low bar to meet. If you are convicted of stealing something worth $700 or more, you could face up to 30 years in prison depending upon the actual value of the stolen property.
At Jonathan Blecher, P.A., we are proud legal advocates for those who are accused of grand theft. We understand that there’s often more to the story when grand theft charges are levied. Our role is to listen to your side of the story and use our legal experience and skill to help you fight for a better outcome in court. It may be possible to demonstrate your lack of guilt for the charges against you or reduce the charges to help you avoid the worst possible impact of a conviction.
With help from our grand theft attorney in Miami, better outcomes can be achieved. Learn more about our services during a free case evaluation – schedule yours by calling 305-321-3237 now!
What Is Grand Theft?
Florida Statute section 812.014 is the law that defines grand theft in the state. Under that law, grand theft can be alleged when $700 or more worth of property is illegally taken or used with the intent to keep the owner from their rights to the property.
Grand Theft Defenses in Florida
Our grand theft attorney in Miami from Jonathan Blecher, P.A. can help you defend against your charges using one of the five accepted defenses for this offense.
In brief, these defenses are as follows:
- Equal Ownership: You had an equal or superior ownership interest in property that was allegedly stolen.
- Good Faith Belief: You did not take the property with the intent to steal it or you took the property believing you had an ownership interest in it.
- Mere Presence: Merely being present at the scene of the crime, having knowledge that grand theft occurred, or even acting suspiciously after the alleged offense is not enough to prove someone’s guilt for grand theft.
- Valueless Property: Trash has no value in Florida, so an item that is apparently discarded
in a publicly accessible place or on someone else’s property is
presumed to have no value and can be taken without consequence. - Voluntary Abandonment: An attempt to steal property is abandoned before the person attempting the theft encounters circumstances that would otherwise lead them to choose to abandon the attempt. In other words, the person changes their mind about committing grand theft on their own and ceases their attempt.
What Are the Penalties for Grand Theft in Florida?
Grand theft is considered a felony in Florida, which means those convicted can expect to serve at least a year in prison, fines up to $5,000, and ordered to pay restitution. That said, the actual penalties one might face are determined by the degree of grand theft that they are convicted.
Grand theft can also be charged as three degrees of severity with scaling penalties from five years to up to thirty years in prison.
Clearly, even a lesser conviction for grand theft can be a very serious and life-altering experience in Florida. Reach out to our grand theft lawyer in Miami at Jonathan Blecher, P.A. to learn more about how you can defend against your charges.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation Today
If you’ve been charged with grand theft or any other criminal offense, reach out to Jonathan Blecher, P.A. today to learn more about how we can help. Our attorney has more than 40 years of experience defending clients accused of both minor and serious crimes in Florida.
We understand the severe consequences that a grand theft conviction can bring. If you need someone to help you fight for a better outcome to the charges against you, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jonathan Blecher, P.A. today.
Contact us online to request a free case evaluation and more information about how we can help.
