Protect Your Rights and Challenge Grand Theft Allegations

Expert Legal Help from Dale Carson Law

Understanding Your Rights and Defenses

In a Grand theft case, Florida criminal law requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty. This is rarely as easy as it looks on TV, especially when evidence is gathered illegally or testimony is unreliable. At Dale Carson Law we recommend fighting all theft charges until your lawyer has an opportunity to review the evidence against you. Many times we can find a weakness in the prosecutor’s case and get your charges dropped or reduced.

Grand and Petit Theft Charges

A theft charge in Florida alleges that a person took property without permission, intending to deprive the rightful owner of it or to use it for themselves or someone else. Florida law classifies theft into two main categories:

Grand Theft: A felony charge generally applied when the property’s value is $750 or more. The severity of the felony increases with the value of the stolen property, leading to harsher penalties upon conviction.

Petit Theft: A misdemeanor charge for property valued under $749.

There are several defenses available depending on the circumstances of the case:

• Good Faith Possession – The defendant believed the property was rightfully theirs, so there was no intent to steal.
• Equal Ownership – If the property is jointly owned, theft may not have occurred.
• Valueless Property – Property that is discarded or has no value cannot be considered stolen.
• False Accusation – The defendant did not commit the alleged theft.

A skilled attorney can determine which defense is most appropriate and build a strategy to protect your rights.