St. Lucie Theft Attorneys

If you or someone you love has been charged with a theft crime in Port St. Lucie, St. Lucie West, Tradition, Fort Pierce, Lakewood Park, or other areas of St. Lucie County, you need to contact the experienced criminal attorneys at The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A. today for help. Being charged with a theft crime is a matter that needs to be taken seriously because a conviction can have a range of serious short- and long-term consequences that can be detrimental to you and your family. If you or someone you love has been charged with a theft crime, the experienced St. Lucie attorneys at The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A. can help you understand your legal rights and options.

At The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A., we have over 20 years of experience defending clients accused of theft crimes, and we firmly believe that each individual must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt before they are punished. We understand that if you or a loved one has been charged with a theft crime, you may be facing a lot of stress and feeling overwhelmed by the possible outcomes. You do not need to go through this difficult period alone. Contact the St. Lucie theft crime defense attorneys of The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A. at 772-336-4357 today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Why You Need a Lawyer

Theft crimes are extremely serious. Depending on the nature of the crime and the specific facts surrounding a given case, an individual charged with a theft crime may be facing either a misdemeanor or felony charges, which each carry a range of potential penalties. In any case, a conviction can leave you with a permanent public record, making it harder for you to find work, rent an apartment, or obtain a line of credit, among other things.

With so much at stake, you can’t afford even one mistake. An experienced criminal defense lawyer will be able to identify the best defense strategy for you and work to have your charges reduced or dropped entirely. Don’t leave your reputation and your future up to chance. Contact a defense attorney right away.

Why Choose Us?

The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A. has been defending people accused of crimes in Florida for over twenty years. This means that we know what it takes to give you the best chance of being found not guilty or having your charges dropped or minimized. In a confidential consultation, we can discuss the specifics of your case to determine what the best path forward is. We can then take all the necessary steps to make your defense as strong as possible. If you have been accused of a theft crime in St. Lucie, you need The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A. on your side.

Theft Crimes in Florida

Theft (also commonly referred to as larceny in Florida) occurs somewhat frequently, with 65,926 larceny arrests in 2017. Florida lawstates that a person commits theft if they knowingly obtain or use the property of another with the intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the other person of a right to the property. At The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A., we have decades of experience defending Florida residents who have been charged with theft crimes. Some common theft offenses are discussed below:

Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when an individual uses the personal identifying information of another with the intent to assume that person’s identity for their own benefit. An assumption of another person’s personal identifying information can include the use of things like their name, address, social security number, telephone number, and driver’s license number, among other things.

An individual who uses another person’s personal identifying information to secure property or services valued at over $5,000 may be charged with a felony in the second degree. If convicted, they can face a punishment of up to 15 years in prison, 15 years of probation, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.

Charges for identity theft can be greater depending on how many identities an individual assumes, the ages of the people whose identities are taken, and what the identity theft is used to gain, among other aggravating factors.   

Shoplifting

Shoplifting occurs when an individual willfully commits a theft from a retail establishment, intending to take the goods for one’s own use without paying the owner for the goods.

Under Florida law, an individual charged with a first offense for shoplifting items that are valued between $100 and $300 can be charged with petit theft. For this, they may face a charge of a misdemeanor in the second degree, which can result in up to 60 days in the county jail and/or a $500 fine. A second offense can constitute petty theft and a person can be charged for a misdemeanor in the first degree, which can result in up to a year in county jail, a year probation, and/or up to a $1,000 fine.

If a person is charged with shoplifting items valued at greater than $300 but less than $5,000, they may be charged with a felony in the third degree, which can lead to a potential punishment of up to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Pickpocketing

Under Florida law, pickpocketing is a sudden snatching where an individual intentionally and unlawfully takes money or property from another person’s body. Pickpocketing can be charged as a felony in the third degree and is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Theft of a Motor Vehicle

A person who takes or uses another individual’s vehicle without consent of the owner can be charged with grand theft. If convicted of grand theft of a vehicle, an individual may face up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Carjacking is a particular type of auto theft, where the thief uses violence or force to take an occupied vehicle.

Burglary

Burglary occurs when an individual enters the dwelling of another without consent and remains there with the intent to commit a theft or other criminal offense. Burglary may be considered a felony in the first, second, or third degree depending on the specific facts of each case. The considering factors include the follow:

• The value of the property taken
• Whether anyone was hurt during the crime
• Whether the burglar was armed during the crime
• Whether a vehicle was used to carry out the crime

The potential charge and punishment will vary depending on the factors above, but punishment can mean a jail sentence from a year to life without parole and fines from $1,000 to up to $15,000.   

Robbery

Robbery is a theft committed with the use of force, such as the use of a weapon or physical force. Under Florida law, a person who commits robbery with a weapon can be charged with a felony of the first degree and can face a punishment of up to 30 years in prison if convicted. An individual who commits a robbery with physical force can be charged with a felony in the second degree, and, if convicted, can face up to 15 years in prison.

Fraud

Fraud is a broad category of crime, which refers to using lies or deception for personal gain. Some common types of fraud include tax fraud, corporate fraud, federal fraud, and public assistance fraud. The penalties for fraud in Florida vary greatly, depending on the severity of the crime and value of money/property stolen.

Internet Crimes

Also known as cyber crimes, internet crimes are any crime committed using the web. Common internet crimes include phishing, hacking, email interception, identity theft, and credit card theft. The penalties vary with the crime and the value of what was stolen, but can include heavy fines and significant jail time.

Embezzlement

Embezzlement refers to the theft of money from a business or person who entrusted the funds to you. In Florida, there is no specific embezzlement statute, so it is treated the same as other theft. However, embezzlement usually involves much higher amounts, so most people who commit embezzlement are charged with a felony and, if convicted, face decades in prison and tens of thousands of dollars in fines.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one has been charged with any type of theft crime, the potential punishment, if convicted, can have long-lasting consequences. At The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A., we understand that individuals and families facing the criminal justice system can be under an incredible amount of stress, and they may be overwhelmed. That is why we are here to help. If you are under investigation or have been charged with theft in Port St. Lucie, contact the experienced criminal defense attorneys at The Law Offices of David Golden, P.A. by calling 772-336-4357 today.