Sometimes property crimes are felonies and other times they’re misdemeanours, but regardless the penalties can be serious. Consequences of a property crime conviction may last for many years. You could have trouble applying for a job, or you could spend years in prison.
What are property crimes?
Property crimes include, but are not limited to:
* Burglary – unlawfully entering either a vehicle or building with intent to steal valuable property
* Employee Theft – taking money or property from the employer, or “white collar” crimes like fraud and embezzlement
* Grand Theft Auto – stealing a vehicle belonging to another person.
* Theft – in addition to burglary, theft can involve things like stealing electricity or cable television service
* Trespassing – entering another person’s property without their permission, including invasion such as breaking and entering. Trespassing can also encompass property line disputes.
Property crimes and felonies in Florida
In Florida, burglary is a felony, though punishment varies depending on whether the burglar was armed and whether the building was occupied at the time. Theft is the most common property crime. Shoplifting is theft. These crimes are punishable according to the worth of the goods or money stolen. Some goods are treated specially. For example, the taking of a will is considered grand theft due to the importance of the document. Stealing a fire extinguisher, a gun, a stop sign, or some other construction site signage are all felonies in Florida.
Arson is a property crime
Arson is also a property crime that occurs when a person purposely sets a home or building on fire that he should reasonably expect to be occupied, like a business during business hours. Arson can also apply if the fire is not set intentionally, but occurs in the context of committing another crime, such as armed robbery. Arson is a first degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison in Florida.
Defense Attorneys in Florida that can help with property crimes
If you have been charged with a property crime in Tampa or Clearwater of Florida, contact a defence attorney as soon as possible. Our attorneys are prepared to help you with avoiding self-incrimination, making pre-trial motions to have charges reduced or dropped, and defending you vigorously in a criminal trial.
In some property crime cases, federal prosecutors will prosecute under the RICO/racketeering or conspiracy laws, and our attorneys are prepared to handle these very complex cases. Early mistakes cannot be reversed, so it is imperative that if you are charged with a property crime that you contact our attorneys at the earliest possible convenience.
