Petty theft is the lowest theft crime you can be charged with and is a first-degree misdemeanor. Real-world information on what to expect in your legal case. Here, he would have to plead guilty and he will likely get the same sentence. * This will flag comments for moderators to take action. Petty theft is simply defined as the act of stealing a minor item or possession from an individual or business.
The idea is to stop her before she leaves the store. Conversely, the state of Florida holds the ultimate discretion on whether to prosecute an individual, despite the wishes of the offended.Usually, the state holds this discretion on a case by case basis and will take into account if the offended would like to proceed with charges. Hire a lawyer immediately. If the business does this, the state loses its main witness, which can defeat the purpose of pursuing the case in the first place.In Florida, grand theft is classified as the unlawful theft of an item valued at $300 or more. You will also have a criminal record that can affect going to college, getting a good job, and renting an affordable apartment. *** if you are currently being detained by a store for suspected shoplifting or theft, tell them you will not speak to them at all unless you can call your attorney and everything be done with us on the phone- you can call our 24/7 help line: (770) 887-3720 *** it … My 20 year old son is a great kid.
Before he is asked to plea he should get an offer and know what the punishment will be if he pleads guilty. Hire a lawyer for him before he gets duped into a plea you both will regret for life.
Afterward, they may even be confused when they are charged with grand theft instead of petty theft.Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking the law. However to ensure the best probability of success, I would advise you to retain an attorney to assist you in negotiating a resolution. Login to reply the answers Post?
However, if the state presses charges, the road to having your charges dropped can become even more strenuous.It can take a few months for a case to be built against you, while the state determines court dates and the amount for your bail. However, things can get a bit tricky.If the state denies the request for the plaintiff to drop the charges, the plaintiff can technically drop these charges by refusing to cooperate with the state’s case.For example, if you steal a minor item from a family-owned business and the state decides to press charges, the business can choose to remain uncooperative to the state’s case to have the charges automatically dropped. In Washington State, in the court system, we don't call it petty theft, we call it theft in the third degree. § 18.2-96. If you have three or more priors for petty theft, the next one can be a felony or a misdemeanor. Lastly, he can seek deferred sentencing. Petty Theft. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. As a first-time offender, your attorney may be able to negotiate an arrangement in which you avoid jail time and instead submit to probation, fines, restitution, and community service. The box below contains important information about Florida theft laws, penalties, and possible sentences.