A felony theft charge does not have to define your future. The defense attorneys at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC have helped many individuals facing similar charges move forward with grace, courage, and peace of mind. Although the stakes are high, a Marathon felony theft lawyer could provide comprehensive legal solutions to protect your rights.

Types of Theft Charges

Florida Statute § 812.014 defines theft as knowingly obtaining or using the property of another with intent to deprive them of the right to it or its benefits. There are several different kinds of theft charges, ranging from simple misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. Accusations of stealing low-valued property constitute petit theft, a misdemeanor also known as petty theft. Robbery refers to theft involving the use of force, violence, or intimidation, while burglary involves unlawful entry to a property with the intent to commit an offense.

The severity of a theft charge and its resulting penalties differ depending on the specific case. A Marathon attorney could examine your situation to determine the categorization of the theft charges brought against you and what penalties you can expect to face.

What Counts as Felony Theft?

State law provides a distinction between misdemeanor and felony theft. In Florida, felony theft applies to property valued at $750 or more. This includes personal items stolen from a person, home, or vehicle.

Felony theft also has different degrees associated with it. Third-degree felony theft is the most common charge and involves theft ranging from $750 to $20,000. A third-degree felony can result in up to five years in prison. Second-degree felony theft is more severe and involves the theft of property valued up to $100,000, resulting in up to 15 years in prison. First-degree felony refers to the theft of $100,000 or more, firearms, or emergency services, and can result in 30 years in prison.

Local Factors Matter in a Felony Theft Case

Marathon is a unique place, and local factors can play a major role in defense against felony theft. For example, theft charges may be tourist-related, such as when individuals are accused of stealing from vacation rental properties or charter boats.

Not all theft is the same. The intent, value, and circumstances of a situation can also drastically impact a case. Marathon theft attorneys know local court procedures, judge and prosecutor tendencies, and how to present clients in a positive light. While you can manage your case alone, trying to fight against theft allegations may be difficult without the local experience of the attorneys at Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC.

Legal Defenses to Felony Theft Charges

Attorneys could provide several key defenses against felony theft, including:

  • Lack of intent, such as an individual borrowing a neighbor’s kayak with the belief that they had permission to do so
  • Mistaken identity, which is common with tourist crowds in video footage or eyewitness errors
  • Ownership disputes, in which one person may believe that a piece of property belongs to them
  • Entrapment, in which an individual is arrested following a bait-theft setup
  • Valuation issues, in which a lawyer could prove that an item costs less than $750

Our lawyers offer compassionate guidance to ensure you feel like more than a case file. Your Marathon felony theft attorney could provide creative and relentless defense strategies that increase your chances of a positive case result.

Contact Keys Criminal Defense, PLLC if You’ve Been Arrested for Theft in Marathon

If you have been charged with theft, stay calm. Do not talk to police without a lawyer present, and contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. An arrest is not a conviction. Call our office today to schedule a consultation with a skilled Marathon felony theft lawyer.

contact us contact us
contact us

get in touch

    By providing a telephone number and submitting the form, you are consenting to be contacted by SMS text message and agreeing to our Privacy Policy. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out of further messaging. Reply HELP for more information.