Pasco County Theft Crime Lawyer
Residents of Pasco County who have been accused of shoplifting, taking something from a job, or walking off with property they believed was theirs often assume a theft charge is a small problem that will fade with a fine. In Florida, the dollar value attached to the property decides whether the case is a misdemeanor you can recover from or a felony that follows you into every job application and background check. King Law Group is a Florida criminal defense firm that handles only criminal matters, representing people charged with Pasco County theft crime lawyer cases in New Port Richey, Dade City, Land O’ Lakes, and across Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough Counties.
Theft charges are unusual because the evidence of value is often thinner than the prosecution’s paperwork suggests. A receipt, a retail price tag, a replacement estimate, or an owner’s own guess can push a charge across a statutory line, and each line changes what a conviction means for your freedom, your record, and your future employment. A careful look at how that number was reached is frequently where a defense begins.
What Separates a Misdemeanor Theft From a Felony in Pasco County
Florida’s theft statute, section 812.014, sorts offenses almost entirely by the value of what was allegedly taken. Petit theft, the lower tier, is a misdemeanor, and a first-degree misdemeanor can carry up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000, while a second-degree misdemeanor can carry up to 60 days and a fine of up to $500. Once the value reaches $750, the charge becomes grand theft of the third degree, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
That third-degree felony category is wider than most people expect. It covers property valued at $750 or more but under $5,000, and it continues to cover property from $5,000 up to $10,000 and from $10,000 up to $20,000. Value between $20,000 and $100,000 is grand theft of the second degree, a second-degree felony with a maximum of 15 years. Property worth $100,000 or more is grand theft of the first degree, a first-degree felony.
Value is not the only trigger. Taking a firearm or a motor vehicle can be charged as third-degree grand theft regardless of what the item is worth, subject to the exceptions written into the statute. Property taken from a dwelling or the unenclosed area immediately around it can also be a felony at a much lower figure, $40 or more but under $750. That detail catches people off guard: a bicycle or a few power tools taken from a driveway or yard can be a felony even though the same items from a store shelf would be a misdemeanor.
Why Choose King Law Group for Theft Defense in Pasco County
King Law Group is a criminal defense firm led by founder Cameron King, a Tampa Bay native and former Florida state prosecutor who earned his law degree at Florida State University, where he concentrated his studies in criminal law. As a prosecutor he handled cases ranging from murder to DUI, and he then spent years as a criminal defense attorney at a prominent litigation firm before turning to defense work full time. The firm takes only criminal cases, so the attorney on your file is not splitting attention with divorces or injury claims.
That prosecutorial background matters in a theft case because so much of the outcome is negotiated. Cameron King has sat on the other side of the table when charging decisions, valuation disputes, and diversion offers were weighed, and he knows which weaknesses in a theft file tend to move a prosecutor. The firm’s stated approach is to pursue a favorable plea, a reduced charge, a deferred prosecution option, or a dismissal, depending on what the facts support. Former clients describe him as honest, straightforward, effective, and a tireless advocate, and several mention prompt return of calls and a willingness to explain each step.
The firm serves clients throughout Pasco County, along with Pinellas and Hillsborough Counties and the wider Tampa Bay area, and it is available around the clock. Case evaluations are free, and the firm’s work extends beyond the case itself to bail and bond hearings before trial and record sealing or expungement afterward.
Theft Charges We Defend in Pasco County
- Retail Theft and Shoplifting: Store loss-prevention staff, security cameras, and concealment allegations drive most of these cases. Value is set by the retail price, which can be the difference between a misdemeanor and a third-degree felony under section 812.014.
- Grand Theft of the Third Degree: Covers property valued at $750 up to $20,000, plus thefts of firearms and motor vehicles. It is a third-degree felony with up to five years in prison as the maximum.
- Dwelling and Curtilage Theft: Property taken from a home or the unenclosed ground around it, such as a yard or driveway, can be a felony at $40 or more but under $750. Neighborhood package and equipment thefts often fall here.
- Employee and Workplace Theft: Accusations of taking cash, inventory, or supplies from an employer usually arise from internal audits or surveillance. Value is often built from business records that can be tested.
- Grand Theft Auto and Vehicle Theft: Taking a motor vehicle is third-degree grand theft by statute, subject to stated exceptions, which makes disputes over permission, borrowed cars, and family or roommate arrangements central to the defense.
- High-Value Grand Theft: Theft of $20,000 to under $100,000 is a second-degree felony with up to 15 years, and $100,000 or more is a first-degree felony. These cases often overlap with white collar allegations like embezzlement or fraud.
- Theft Tied to Other Charges: Burglary, trespass, and conspiracy counts frequently accompany theft allegations and are addressed together because the evidence overlaps.
What to Do in the Days After a Pasco County Theft Arrest or Investigation
Start by saying very little. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, and exercising both is not an admission of anything. Store security, detectives, and officers often ask for a quick explanation, a written statement, or a text to the owner that sounds like an apology. Those words are routinely used to prove intent, which is the element that separates theft from a misunderstanding. Ask for a lawyer, then stop talking and call one.
Gather what you can without contacting the accuser. Keep receipts, messages, photos, work schedules, and anything showing you believed the property was yours, was borrowed, or was left with your permission. Do not delete texts or social posts, even unflattering ones, because deleted material can look worse than the material itself. Write down the names of anyone who was present and the date, time, and place as accurately as you can.
Theft cases in the county are heard in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Pasco and Pinellas Counties. Western Pasco cases are handled at the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey, and eastern Pasco criminal cases, both circuit and county, are handled at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City. If you were arrested, the first appearance will address bond, and a lawyer can argue for release on reasonable terms or without money bail. Missing a court date adds a new problem on top of the original charge, so confirm every date in writing.
Be careful about paying restitution, signing civil demand letters, or agreeing to a store’s civil recovery request before talking to counsel. Retailers commonly send demand letters, and paying one does not end the criminal case. Handled badly, it can be used as an admission, though it can also be part of a negotiated resolution when timed correctly.
How Theft Cases Are Actually Fought and Resolved
The state must prove that you knowingly took or used property belonging to someone else with the intent to deprive the owner of it, either temporarily or permanently. Intent is the usual battleground. A person who walked out holding an item they forgot about, who believed they had permission, or who honestly thought the property was theirs lacks the required intent, and surveillance footage often helps the defense as much as the prosecution.
Value is the second battleground. Prosecutors must show the fair market value of the property at the time of the offense, not simply an inflated sticker price or a replacement quote. Used goods, damaged goods, and items in disputed ownership are frequent targets for challenge. Reducing the value below the felony line can convert a case that threatens prison into one that does not.
Evidence problems also appear in how the stop, search, or statement was obtained. If officers searched a car or bag without valid grounds, or questioned you after you invoked your rights, a motion to suppress can remove evidence the case depends on. For first-time accused people, prosecutors will sometimes consider pretrial diversion or deferred prosecution, which can end in dismissal after conditions are completed. The firm looks for these resolutions in every case where the facts allow, because a felony theft record carries consequences far beyond any sentence, including employment, professional licensing, and housing.
For non-citizens, theft can carry immigration consequences, and some theft offenses are treated as crimes of moral turpitude. Anyone who is not a U.S. citizen should talk with a criminal defense attorney before accepting any plea.
Pasco County Theft Charge Questions, Answered
What is the difference between petit theft and grand theft in Florida?
The difference is mainly the value of the property. Petit theft is a misdemeanor, and grand theft is a felony that begins at $750 in value. Certain items, such as firearms and motor vehicles, and certain locations, such as a home’s surrounding yard, can raise the charge regardless of price.
Can I go to jail for a first-offense theft charge?
Yes, though jail is not automatic. A first-degree misdemeanor carries up to one year and a second-degree misdemeanor up to 60 days, while a third-degree felony carries up to five years. First-time defendants often have options such as diversion, probation, or a reduced charge, depending on the facts and the prosecutor.
What if I intended to pay or forgot I had the item?
Intent to deprive the owner is an element the state must prove. Forgetting an item in a cart or bag, or believing you had permission, can defeat that element. Video, receipts, and your account of the circumstances all matter, and a lawyer should review them before you say anything to police or store staff.
How is the value of stolen property determined?
Prosecutors rely on fair market value at the time of the alleged theft, which for new retail goods is usually the price tag. Used, damaged, or disputed property can be worth far less, and challenging the valuation can lower the charge from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Does paying the store back make the charge go away?
No. Restitution or a civil demand payment does not end a criminal prosecution, because the case is brought by the State Attorney, not the store. Payment can sometimes be part of a negotiated outcome, but sending money or signing anything without advice can hurt your position.
Can a theft charge be sealed or expunged in Florida?
It depends on how the case ends. An adult conviction cannot be sealed or expunged, but if charges are dropped or dismissed, you may be eligible. An expunction petition requires a certificate of eligibility from FDLE, which is valid for 12 months, along with a certified statement from the state attorney. You also must never have been adjudicated guilty of a criminal offense.
Is a theft from a home yard really a felony for something cheap?
It can be. Property valued at $40 or more but under $750 taken from a dwelling or the unenclosed curtilage around it is third-degree grand theft. Many people are surprised that items from a porch, driveway, or yard fall under that rule.
Will a theft charge affect my job or professional license?
Theft is a crime of dishonesty, and employers and licensing boards take it seriously even when the sentence is light. Felony convictions in particular can end careers in finance, healthcare, education, and security. Resolving the case with a reduction, diversion, or dismissal protects the record in ways a quick plea cannot.
How long does a theft case take in Pasco County?
A misdemeanor can resolve in a few months, while a felony with contested value or evidence issues can take considerably longer. Timing depends on court calendars in New Port Richey or Dade City, discovery, motions, and how negotiations proceed. A lawyer can give a realistic estimate once the charging documents are reviewed.
Do I need a lawyer for a shoplifting charge that seems minor?
Often yes. Even a misdemeanor creates a public record, and a lawyer can pursue diversion or a dismissal that keeps a conviction from ever forming. If the item’s value is near $750, representation can mean the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony.
What if I wasn’t the one who took the property but I was with the person who did?
Presence alone is not enough to convict. The state must show you participated or helped. Being a passenger, a friend, or a bystander can still lead to charges, so these situations call for careful handling of what you say and sign.
Serving Theft Defense Clients Across Pasco County and Tampa Bay
King Law Group represents people accused of theft throughout Pasco County, starting in New Port Richey and extending east to Dade City and the surrounding communities. That includes Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, Land O’ Lakes, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel, Odessa, San Antonio, and Trinity, along with the neighborhoods that sit between them. Retail corridors along U.S. 19 and State Road 54 generate many shoplifting cases, and the firm defends those as readily as workplace and residential theft accusations.
The firm also serves clients in neighboring Pinellas County, including Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and in Hillsborough County, including Tampa. Because Pasco and Pinellas share the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and Hillsborough falls in the Thirteenth, the firm’s familiarity across the region helps when a case or a client’s circumstances cross county lines.
Speak With a Pasco County Theft Crime Attorney Today
A theft charge can feel minor right up until it costs someone a job, a license, or their freedom. If you have been arrested or contacted by police in Pasco County, a Pasco County theft crime attorney at King Law Group can review the evidence, challenge the value and intent behind the charge, and look for the best available resolution. Call to schedule your free consultation, and we will tell you where you stand and what to do next.
