Petty theft and
grand theft are considered to be different solely on the value of the property or money stolen. You will be charged with
petty theft if you have stolen property or money valuing less than $300. Greater than $300 is
grand theft and is a felony. A
felony conviction can cost you your rights as an average citizen. A man in Naples is in need of an experienced
criminal defense lawyer because he has so many
petty theft convictions on his record that his most recent theft escapade of $1 actually cost him a felony.
Petty Theft vs. Grand Theft
According to a WPTV News, a Naples man faces a
felony charge after he was accused of walking out after filling a courtesy cup with soda Thursday at the McDonald’s soda fountain and then leaving the restaurant, Mark Abaire, 52, was arrested by Collier deputies and now faces a
felony theft charge, a sheriff’s report shows.
While his charge is
petty theft, because of previous
petty theft convictions, the charge for drinking the unpaid-for soda was increased from a misdemeanor to a felony, the
arrest report shows. In Florida, a
third-degree felony can result in a sentence of up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Abaire faces additional misdemeanor counts of trespassing and disorderly intoxication. On Saturday, he remained in the Collier County jail with bond set at $6,500.
Criminal Defense
If you have ever been charged with a crime involving theft, you are going to need a criminal defense lawyer because the defense strategy for theft crimes can be complicated.
Grand theft is a
felony charge that will follow for the rest of your life.