The Suskauer Law Firm P.A.

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Florida Property and Theft Defense Attorneys

The lawyers of The Suskauer Law Firm P.A., located in West Palm Beach, FL, provide criminal defense for those facing property or theft charges.

It is not uncommon for people to confuse the terms theft, robbery and burglary. But there are important legal distinctions between those charges.

What is Theft?

Florida statutes distinguish theft as petit theft or grand theft. Depending on which type of theft you are charged with, the state will prosecute the offense as a misdemeanor or a felony. And whether charged as petit or grand theft depends on the value of the property.

Florida state law reads:

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.
(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.

Thus, according to Florida law, theft involves the unauthorized taking or use of another person’s property. Crimes that come under the legal heading of theft include larceny, stealing, misappropriation of funds, etc.

In order to be charged with the crime of theft, it must be established that the alleged defendant had criminal intent at the time he or she took, or attempted to take, the property of another and that he or she also intended to deprive the owner of possession or use of the property either temporarily or permanently.

Petit Theft

The precise charges are usually related to the value of the property taken. The lowest level theft offense in Florida is called “petit theft.” If the stolen property is valued at less than $100, the crime is classified as petit theft of the second degree. Stolen property that is valued between $100 and $300 is classified as petit theft of the first degree. Both charges are misdemeanors. A second degree misdemeanor can be punished with imprisonment for up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500. A first degree misdemeanor conviction can result in a sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $1,000.

In addition, if the defendant has a prior conviction for petit theft of the second degree, the state may prosecute a new offense as a first degree misdemeanor. If he or she has two or more prior convictions for petit theft, the state may charge a subsequent offense as a third degree felony. In such a case, the potential term of imprisonment may be up to five years and the fine up to $5,000.

Grand Theft

Theft of property valued at more than $300 is classified as “grand theft” and is considered a felony under Florida law. Grand theft in the third degree is charged when the value of the stolen property is between $300 and $20,000. Grand theft in the second degree is charged when the value of the stolen property is between $20,000 and $100,000. Property valued over $100,000 will result in a charge of grand theft in the first degree. (In addition, the state of Florida is required to charge grand theft in the first degree for any crime in which a motor vehicle is used during the commission of the crime, other than its use as a getaway car.)

As stated, a third degree felony theft charge carries a potential prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000. A second degree felony theft charge carries a potential prison term of up to 15 years and fine of up to $10,000. Grand theft in the first degree carries a potential prison term of up to 30 years and a fine up to $10,000. In addition, if in the course of committing the offense the offender causes damage to the real or personal property of another in excess of $1,000, he or she can be charged with a first degree felony.

Contact an aggressive, experienced criminal defense lawyer that is experienced with petit and grand theft charges in West Palm Beach

If you have questions regarding theft charges, please do not hesitate to contact us for a free consultation so we can review your case. We are happy to meet or speak with you anytime. Our legal team is experienced, aggressive, compassionate, and will fight for your rights!

 

suskauer-law-free-consultation If you or a loved one has been arrested or charged with a crime in Florida, and have questions or would like to schedule a free consultation to review your case, please complete the form below, and someone from our legal team will get back to you immediately.

West Palm Beach Criminal Lawyers that are…

EXPERIENCED
AGGRESSIVE
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Top lawyer badges and recognition for Michelle Suskauer: Florida Trend's Florida Legal Elite for 2024, Top Attorneys & Rising Stars in Florida, 2024 Palm Beach Illustrated Top Lawyers, Florida Trend's Florida 500, AV Preeminent Lawyer Rating, Super Lawyers 2024, Top 100 Trail Lawyers, FastCase 50, Attorney.com Top Attorney Award Winner, and Avvo 10.0 Superb Rating for Criminal Defense Attorney, TopVerdict.com's Top 20 Jury Verdicts, South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers

Law Firm News

  • Michelle Suskauer Appointed Vice Chair of the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission
  • Michelle Suskauer to Co-Host the 2025 Justice for All Gala
  • Expansion Announcement for The Suskauer Law Firm P.A. Firm in the Palm Beach Post
  • Michelle Suskauer Featured on WFLA News Discussing Fatal Ferry Boat Crash Investigation
  • Michelle Suskauer Expands Criminal Defense Practice with New Offices in West Palm Beach, Miami, and Stuart
  • Michelle Suskauer Spoke With Bloomberg Law on the Florida Supreme Court’s Rulemaking
  • Michelle Suskauer Named to Super Lawyers Florida 2024 for Criminal Defense
  • Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County Honors Michelle Suskauer with the “Suzanne and John Foley Serving Justice” Award
  • Michelle Suskauer Honored With The Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County “Suzanne and John Foley Serving Justice Award”
  • Michelle Suskauer will receive the Suzanne and John Foley Serving Justice Award in recognition of her dedication to Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County’s mission

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Attorneys

Michelle Suskauer

Tyler DiMaio

Law Firm News

  • Michelle Suskauer Appointed Vice Chair of the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission
  • Michelle Suskauer to Co-Host the 2025 Justice for All Gala
  • Expansion Announcement for The Suskauer Law Firm P.A. Firm in the Palm Beach Post
  • Michelle Suskauer Featured on WFLA News Discussing Fatal Ferry Boat Crash Investigation
  • Michelle Suskauer Expands Criminal Defense Practice with New Offices in West Palm Beach, Miami, and Stuart

Locations

West Palm Beach, FL
515 N. Flagler Drive
Suite 350
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Driving Directions

Stuart, FL
21 S.E. Ocean Blvd.
Stuart, FL 34994

Miami, FL
2665 S. Bayshore Drive
Suite 220
Miami, FL 33133

The Suskauer Law Firm P.A. serves all of Florida, including West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Tequesta, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach and Boca Raton.

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