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Petit Theft
Theft Defined:
  1. 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:
    • Deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from the property; OR
    • Appropriate the property to his or her own use or to the use of any person not entitled to the use of the property.
- Section 812.014(1) of the Florida Statutes​
Second Degree Petit Theft:
  • If the value of the property stolen is less than $100, Petit Theft is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by up to 60 days in jail & no more than a $500 fine. Section 812.014(3)(a) of the Florida Statutes.
First Degree Petit Theft:
  • If the value of the property stolen is more than $100, but less than $750, Petit Theft is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 1 year in jail & no more than a $1,000 fine. Section 812.014(2)(e) of the Florida Statutes.
Petit Theft is an "Enhance-able" Offense:
  • A person who commits Petit Theft and who has been previously convicted of any theft (regardless of value) commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable by up to 1 year in jail & no more than a $1,000 fine. Section 812.014(3)(b) of the Florida Statutes.
  • A person who commits Petit Theft and who has been previously convicted two or more times of any theft commits a felony of the third degree, punishable by up to 5 years in prison & no more than a $5,000 fine. Section 812.014(3)(c) of the Florida Statutes.
Grand Theft
Third Degree Grand Theft:
  • It is Grand Theft of the third degree if the property stolen is:
    1. Valued at $750 or more but less than $20,000;
    2. A will, codicil, or other testamentary instrument;
    3. A firearm;
    4. A motor vehicle;
    5. A commercially farmed animal;
    6. A fire extinguisher;
    7. Any amount of citrus fruit consisting of 2,000 or more individual pieces of fruit;
    8. Taken from a construction site identified by the posting of a sign as provided for by Florida law;
    9. A stop sign;
    10. Anhydrous ammonia;
    11. A controlled substance;
    12. Taken from a dwelling or from the enclosed curtilage of such dwelling and is valued at more than $100, but less than $750.
  • Grand Theft of the third degree is a third degree felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison & no more than a $5,000 fine. ​
- Section 812.014(2)(c) of the Florida Statutes
Second Degree Grand Theft:
  • It is Grand Theft Second Degree if the property stolen is:
    1. Valued at $20,000 or more but less than $100,000;​
    2. Cargo valued at less than $50,000 that has entered the stream of interstate or intrastate commerce from the shipper's loading platform to the consignee's receiving dock;
    3. Emergency medical equipment, valued at $300 or more, that is taken from a facility licensed under chapter 395 or from an aircraft or vehicle permitted under chapter 401; OR
    4. Law enforcement equipment, valued at $300 or more, that is taken from an authorized emergency vehicle.
  • Grand Theft of the second degree is a second degree felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison & no more than a $10,000 fine.
- Section 812.014(2)(b) of the Florida Statutes
First Degree Grand Theft:
  • It is Grand Theft First Degree if the property stolen is:
    1. Valued at $100,000 or more;
    2. A semitrailer that was deployed by law enforcement;
    3. Cargo valued at $50,000 or more that has entered the stream of interstate or intrastate commerce from the shipper's loading platform to the consignee's receiving dock;
    4. Stolen using a motor vehicle as an instrumentality to assist in committing the offense and thereby damages the real property of another; OR In the course of committing the offense the offender causes damage to the real or personal property of another in excess of $1,000.​
  • Grand Theft of the first degree is a first degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison & no more than a $10,000 fine.
- Section 812.014(2)(a) of the Florida Statutes
CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE CASE CONSULTATION WITH A TAMPA CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY
  • A conviction for Petit Theft or Grand Theft can have serious consequences including fines, probation, jail or even prison time. 
  • If you have been charged with Petit Theft or Grand Theft, call (813) 787-4849 now for a free case consultation.
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