WHAT CAN HAPPEN ON A PETIT THEFT SHOPLIFTING CHARGE IN FLORIDA? FAQs

Q: What am I facing for a first-time shoplifting or petty theft charge in Florida?

A: If it’s your first time being caught for shoplifting or petit theft in Florida, there are some important things to know. Let’s start with the bad news: shoplifting and petit theft can carry jail time. Depending on the value of the goods, you could face up to a year in jail or up to 60 days. But don’t lose sleep over this, as most people don’t go to jail for these charges.

Here’s what you are likely facing: probation, fines, classes, and a lot of community service. The real punishment, however, is that a theft conviction stays on your record forever. Employers hate theft on a criminal record, making it a potential job killer. Fortunately, we can address this with an expungement or sealing, but that’s a topic for another day.

Now, if you have immigration issues, having an attorney is crucial.

The good news is that attorneys have various ways to get a shoplifting charge dismissed. This could be due to a lack of evidence or through diversion programs. Diversion means you participate in a program, complete some requirements, and your case gets dropped. These requirements might include community service (10-50 hours), an anti-theft class (maybe an eight-hour course), and paying a small program fee. If you complete the program, your shoplifting or petty theft charge will be dropped.

In summary, get yourself a good attorney, and these cases will usually work out just fine.

Q: What are the possible penalties for a first-time shoplifting or petit theft charge in Florida?

A: You could face jail time for a first-time shoplifting or petit theft charge in Florida. Depending on the value of the goods, this could be up to a year in jail or up to 60 days. However, it’s rare for people to serve jail time for these charges. More commonly, you’ll be looking at probation, fines, classes, and community service.

Q: What is the real punishment for a theft charge in Florida?

A:The real punishment for a theft charge is not jail time or probation but the fact that this theft conviction stays on your record forever. Employers often see a theft charge and view it very negatively, making it a potential job killer. This is one of the first things HR looks at for new job candidates–any sort of theft crime will get most people denied employment.

Q: What should I do if I have immigration issues and face a theft charge?

A: If you have immigration issues and are facing a theft charge, it is crucial to have an attorney. Immigration issues can complicate your case significantly, and a good attorney can help navigate these complexities. In general, a theft crime is very bad for immigration purposes because it is one of those crimes that is labeled of bad moral character. Other crimes are not so bad for immigration purposes, like having an expired tag beyond 6 months (yes, this is a crime–you can be arrested for this believe it or not!).

Q: How can an attorney help get a shoplifting charge dismissed?

A: Attorneys have several ways to get a shoplifting charge dismissed. This could be due to a lack of evidence or through diversion programs run by the prosecutors, and/or intervention programs run by the court.

Q: What are diversion programs and how do they work for shoplifting charges?

A: Diversion programs are an alternative to traditional prosecution. If you participate in a diversion program, you must complete certain requirements like community service, anti-theft classes, and paying a small fee. Successfully completing these requirements can lead to your shoplifting or petty theft charge being dropped.