West Palm Beach Petit Theft Lawyer
Committing petit theft in Florida is considered to be a misdemeanor and is therefore punishable by law. Petit theft, like grand theft, is the taking of another person’s property without telling him or her and without the intention of ever returning the stolen items. While petit theft is a charge used in cases involving relatively inexpensive goods, it is still taken quite seriously and offenders face punishment involving both fines and incarceration.
If you have been charged with petit theft, then a good criminal defense lawyer can help protect you in court. Please contact the West Palm Beach petit theft lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800 to speak with one of our qualified attorneys about your situation.
How is petit theft punished?
A person commits petit theft when he or she takes money or goods from another individual that are valued between $100 and $300. Petit theft may either be a first-degree or second-degree act and is considered to be a misdemeanor in Florida. Punishment for this type of offense includes fines, jail time, and legal fees:
- First Degree Petit Theft: imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of $1000
- Second Degree Petit Theft: imprisonment of up to 60 days or a fine of $500
Repeat offenders or those who commit petit theft inside another person’s dwelling may be charged with a third degree felony. Punishment for this crime includes incarceration for up to 5 years or a fine of $5000.
What is a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is considered to be a crime that is punished by less than a year in prison. Petit theft, since it is a crime involving items of lesser value, is most often considered to be a misdemeanor. Felonies are those crimes that may be penalized by more than a year of incarceration.
If you have been suspected of committing petit theft, then you may face jail time as punishment. Please contact the West Palm Beach petit theft attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. to find out more about how we can help you reduce the severity of your punishment.
Contact Us
If you have been charged with petit theft, then a good criminal defense lawyer can help defend your case in court. Please call the West Palm Beach petit theft lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800 to schedule a consultation about your circumstances with one of our attorneys.
