Marc A. Joseph Handles Numerous Types of Theft Crimes in the Tampa Area

Tampa theft crimes attorney Marc A. Joseph handles the following types of theft charges:

Theft/Burglary: Under Florida law, you can be charged with burglary for unlawfully entering into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a crime inside the structure, such as theft. Beyond this straightforward definition, Florida burglary law gets complicated quickly, with different standards and punishment for first, second, and third degree burglary. The differences between the degrees of burglary turn on such facts as whether a person was inside the structure, or whether the person being charged committed assault or battery on another person.

Grand Theft: Grand theft is another serious crime under Florida law, and the bar is fairly low for a theft to be considered grand theft. Stealing property with as low a value as $300 is considered grand theft in Florida, with some property thefts considered grand theft no matter the value: wills, firearms, and stop signs are just a few examples. As with burglary, there is first, second and third degree grand theft, with up to thirty years imprisonment as a potential sentence for first degree grand theft.

Petit Theft: Petit theft, more commonly known as petty theft, generally refers to the theft of property worth less than $300. Petit theft is a misdemeanor which can be first or second degree, and the punishment is jail time as opposed to prison. However, the line between petit theft and grand theft is very thin, with the difference often being just a small amount of stolen property value or other facts. And the longterm consequences of a petit theft conviction can still be harmful for job applications, school admissions, and other important aspects of life.

Robbery: Robbery is a felony that can be charged as first or second degree. The main difference from other theft charges is that the property in a robbery was stolen from a person by use of force, violence, assault, or fear. Florida’s minimum mandatory sentences for robbery are extremely tough, ranging from ten years of prison for possessing a firearm at the time of the robbery, up to twenty-five years for injuring a person during the robbery.

Dealing in Stolen Property: Generally, the crime of dealing in stolen property is a felony and refers to buying, selling, or distributing property you know, or should know, is stolen. However, this crime is much broader and complex than most people realize. This crime can occur in many different ways, and the penalties are harsher for a person who takes a more active role, such as by organizing, planning, or supervising the “dealing”.

No matter which of these charges you are facing, you will need a high caliber Tampa theft crimes attorney to defend your rights.