Clermont Grand Theft Attorney

Our Commitment to Protecting Your Rights in Clermont, FL Courts

Being arrested for or placed under investigation for grand theft in Central Florida is a life-altering event. Unlike misdemeanor petit theft, grand theft is a serious felony offense under Florida law that carries mandatory state prison time, substantial financial fines, and a permanent felony record. Whether you are facing allegations involving retail property, financial funds, motor vehicles, or heavy equipment, you must secure legal representation to defend your future and freedom.

At The Law Offices of Justin Rickman, our defense team brings over 40 years of combined trial experience to clients across Lake, Polk, and Orange Counties. We understand how local prosecutors build grand theft cases, and we work aggressively to dismantle their claims, challenge property valuations, and seek dropped or reduced charges before trial.

Don't let a grand theft charge define you. Call (888) 835-5840 or contact us online today for a confidential consultation and let us put our knowledge of Florida theft law to work for you.

What is Considered Grand Theft in Florida?

In Florida, grand theft is generally defined as the intentional and unlawful taking of another person's property with the intent to deprive them of it, either temporarily or permanently, where the value of the property is $750 or more. However, the definition can become more complex, and certain types of property automatically elevate a theft charge to grand theft, regardless of their monetary value.

Florida Statute 812.014 outlines the specifics of grand theft. Key elements the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt include:

• Intentional and Unlawful Taking: The accused must have knowingly obtained or used the property of another.
• Intent to Deprive: The accused must have intended to temporarily or permanently deprive the owner of their right to the property or a benefit from it, or appropriate the property for their own use or the use of someone not entitled to it.
• Value or Type of Property: The stolen property must meet a specific value threshold or fall into a category of property deemed grand theft by statute.

Here's a breakdown of the thresholds and special circumstances that constitute grand theft in Florida:

• Third-Degree Grand Theft: This is the most common form of grand theft and occurs when the value of the stolen property is:
  • $750 or more, but less than $20,000.
  • Specific items, regardless of value (or with a lower value threshold in some cases), such as:
    • A firearm
    • A motor vehicle (often called "Grand Theft Auto")
    • A will, codicil, or other testamentary instrument
    • Any commercially farmed animal
    • Any fire extinguisher
    • Any amount of a controlled substance
    • Any stop sign
    • Anhydrous ammonia
    • Property valued at $40 or more and taken from a dwelling or the unenclosed curtilage of a dwelling.
• Second-Degree Grand Theft: This more serious felony occurs when the value of the stolen property is:
  • $20,000 or more, but less than $100,000.
  • Cargo valued at less than $50,000 that has entered the stream of intrastate or interstate commerce from the loading platform of the shipper and the receiving dock of the consignee.
  • Emergency medical equipment valued at $300 or more, taken from an authorized emergency vehicle.
  • Law enforcement equipment valued at $300 or more, taken from an authorized emergency vehicle.
• First-Degree Grand Theft: This is the most severe grand theft charge, reserved for cases involving:
  • Property valued at $100,000 or more.
  • A semitrailer deployed by a law enforcement officer.
  • Cargo valued at $50,000 or more that has entered the stream of intrastate or interstate commerce from the loading platform of the shipper and the receiving dock of the consignee.
  • The use of a motor vehicle to assist in the offense, and the defendant causes damage to another's real or personal property exceeding $1,000.