A person can be charged with theft if he or she steals someone else's property. The range of punishment most often depends on the value of the property stolen. If the value is over $500 the state can charge you with Grand Theft, a felony. The prison sentence can be up to five years or up to 30 years, depending on the circumstances of the crime and value of the property stolen. If the value is under $300 you will most likely be charged with Petit Theft, a misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail. For more specific details about the punishment for this offense:

See, Florida Statute 812.014 for specific details of the statute.

The circumstances of your case will always determine whether the State can prove the charge against you and what the severity of punishment will be. It is advisable to hire a lawyer so that the charges can be investigated and a fair resolution of the case can be negotiated with the State. It could save you time in jail, the suspension of your driver's license and fines.

BE AWARE THAT THE COURT MAY SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE FOR A FIRST PETIT THEFT AND WILL SUSPEND YOUR LICENSE FOR MULTIPLE THEFT CONVICTIONS