Theft Defense
An act of theft occurs when a person knowingly and intentionally obtains or exerts unauthorized control over the property of another with intent to deprive the owner of his or her property.
The theft includes taking property or assets without the authorization or knowledge of the owner, including the use of deception to gain control over the property of another, or deceiving law enforcement during a property or asset dispute by claiming the property or asset in question was stolen.
There are two basic levels of theft:
- Petit Theft: commonly called petty theft, involves property or assets of less than $300. Petit Theft is a misdemeanor criminal offense which is punishable by up to 1 year in jail.
- Grand Theft: involves property or assets of $300 or greater. Grand Theft is a felony criminal offense which is punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Theft may be occur in various forms, such as:
- Employee Theft;
- Identity Theft;
- Mail Theft;
- Theft during the course of a Burglary, or Aggravated Burglary;
- Theft by Conversion;
- Theft By Deception;
- Grand Theft Auto;
- Theft of Services;
- Fraud;
- Theft as an act of Robbery or Armed Robbery.
- or any other form of knowingly and intentionally depriving another of their property or assets.
Depending upon the charges a person may be facing, a criminal history, and any other special circumstances, a criminal conviction may result in a specified term of incarceration in prison, result in fines, periods of probation, mandatory programs (paid by you), community service, or other penalties the court has the authority to impose upon you.
As your legal counsel, we will thoroughly review the evidence against you, witness statements, police reports, and any other relevant factors, such as the circumstances of your arrest and the actions of law enforcement officers. If there are areas to provide reasonable doubt, our goal is to find and present them to the prosecutor, judge and/or jury.
If you have been arrested and charged with a theft crime, seek the legal advice and representation of an experienced theft defense attorney. At The Law Offices of Peter A. Shapiro & Jonathan D. Wilson, you will work with an experienced lawyer who is dedicated to protecting the rights of individuals charged with criminal theft or any other additional criminal charges throughout the Central Florida area and its surrounding counties.
Call 407.420.1044 to discuss your legal rights, options, and potential theft crime defense strategies. You may also contact us by filling out our online case evaluation form.