Dade City Theft Crime Lawyer

King Law Group defends people charged with theft in Dade City and across Pasco County, handling everything from a shoplifting citation to a felony grand theft count, for adults and juveniles alike. If you need a Dade City theft crime lawyer, the first thing worth knowing is that a theft charge in Florida turns almost entirely on one number: the value of what was allegedly taken. That figure decides whether you are looking at a misdemeanor or a felony, and it is often the most contestable fact in the whole file.

The felony line sits at $750. Take something worth less and it is petit theft; take something worth $750 or more and it is grand theft, which is a felony with a different set of consequences for your record, your job, and your future. Prosecutors usually build that value from a store’s retail price tag or a victim’s estimate, and neither is automatically correct. Challenging how a value was calculated can move a case from one side of that line to the other.

Theft cases from Dade City and the eastern half of Pasco County are heard at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City, where Pasco County Court handles misdemeanor theft and Pasco Circuit Court handles felonies. Knowing how those two tracks work, and how the State Attorney’s Office in the Sixth Judicial Circuit evaluates them, shapes how we approach every file.

Why Choose King Law Group for a Dade City Theft Defense

King Law Group is a criminal defense firm whose practice is focused solely on criminal law. It is led by Cameron King, the firm’s founder and a former felony prosecutor for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Pasco and Pinellas Counties. The firm represents adults and juveniles throughout Pasco County, Pinellas County, and the greater Tampa Bay area, including Dade City, and it works every stage of a case from pre-arrest investigation through trial and record sealing. Calls are answered 24/7, and the first consultation and case evaluation are free.

Cameron handled thousands of cases as a prosecutor, from murder, manslaughter, and armed robbery down to DUI, drug possession, and domestic violence. He earned both his undergraduate business degree and his law degree at Florida State University, and he later practiced criminal defense at a prominent litigation firm. For a theft case, that background matters in a practical way. Having sat on the other side, he knows how a prosecutor weighs a retail theft file, what evidence they lean on, which cases they quietly consider weak, and what it takes to get a reduction or dismissal on the table.

Clients describe him as honest, straightforward, and tireless, and they mention fast callbacks and being kept informed at each step. One client wrote that every detail was explained at every stage and that, in the end, the charges were dropped. We also keep the long game in view: a theft conviction follows people through background checks, so we look for outcomes like a reduced charge, withheld adjudication, or pretrial diversion that ends in dismissal, and we help with sealing or expunging a record when you qualify.

Theft Charges We Defend in Pasco County

• Petit Theft Under $100: Taking property worth less than $100 is a second-degree misdemeanor. Typical cases are a first-time shoplifting arrest at a retail store, a cashier’s accusation, or an item walked out in a cart. Even at this level, a conviction creates a record that shows up on background checks.
• Petit Theft of $100 to Under $750: This tier is a first-degree misdemeanor, carrying up to a year in jail and up to a $1,000 fine. It covers a lot of everyday retail cases, and the dispute is frequently about whether the price attached to the merchandise is what a prosecutor can actually prove.
• Grand Theft of $750 or More: Crossing the $750 line makes the offense a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. The tiers rise from there: $20,000 to under $100,000 is a second-degree felony, and $100,000 or more is a first-degree felony.
• Theft From a Dwelling: Property taken from a home or its unenclosed curtilage is grand theft at a much lower threshold. Items worth $40 or more but under $750 are a third-degree felony, and so are items worth $750 or more. Packages taken off a porch and items lifted from a yard or carport can land here.
• Firearm and Motor Vehicle Theft: Theft of a firearm is grand theft regardless of value, and theft of a motor vehicle is generally treated the same way, subject to a statutory exception. These cases are charged as felonies even when the item’s worth is modest.
• Organized or Repeated Dwelling Thefts: Theft from more than 20 dwellings, or any combination reaching that count, is second-degree grand theft. This is a different kind of case, built on patterns and investigation rather than a single store incident.
• Employee and Workplace Theft: Accusations of taking from an employer, cash drawer shortages, or misusing company property often start as an internal investigation before any arrest. Early involvement of a lawyer matters here, before statements are given.

What to Do After a Theft Arrest or Accusation in Dade City

The most important step is the quietest one: do not explain yourself. Loss prevention staff and officers are trained to get a statement, and an innocent-sounding explanation can become the admission that fills a gap in their case. Politely decline to answer questions, do not consent to a search of your car, bag, or phone, and ask for a lawyer. If you are being investigated but have not been arrested, calling a Dade City theft defense attorney before you speak to anyone is often the best move you can make, because the pre-arrest phase is when the most can still be shaped.

If you were arrested, you will generally be booked into the Pasco County jail in Land O’ Lakes, and a judge reviews your case at a first appearance, usually within about 24 hours. That hearing sets whether you are released and on what conditions, so having counsel involved immediately can affect whether you sit in custody. A felony grand theft case moves to Pasco Circuit Court, while misdemeanor petit theft goes to Pasco County Court; both are handled at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City for eastern Pasco matters, and we also appear at the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey.

Gather what you can that bears on value and ownership: receipts, photographs of the item, text messages about who owned or lent it, and any video you know exists. Do not contact the store or the person who accused you to “work it out,” and do not post about it online. A common mistake is paying a civil demand letter from a retailer and assuming the criminal case disappears; it does not, and the payment can sometimes be treated as an admission. Run any such letter past a lawyer first.

Mind the time limits too. Prosecutors must file within set periods: one year for a second-degree misdemeanor, two years for a first-degree misdemeanor, three years for most felonies, and four years for a first-degree felony. The clock starts the day after the offense. These deadlines rarely help someone who has already been arrested, but they matter in older investigations.

How Theft Cases Are Actually Won, Reduced, or Dismissed

Theft requires more than taking property. The State must show an intent to deprive the owner of it, either temporarily or permanently, and intent is where many cases are vulnerable. A person who forgot an item at the bottom of a cart, believed property was theirs, borrowed something with permission, or took part in a dispute over who owned an object has a real defense, and we look closely at what the video actually shows rather than what a witness says it shows.

Valuation is the second battleground. Because the $750 line separates a misdemeanor from a felony, we examine how the State arrived at its number: whether it used retail price or fair market value, whether items were bundled together to cross the threshold, and whether the owner can really support the figure. Identity is the third: surveillance footage is often grainy, and an eyewitness who saw someone leave a store may be wrong about who it was.

Not every case is about proving innocence. Many first-offense theft cases can resolve through a reduction, a withheld adjudication, or a pretrial diversion program that ends with the charge dismissed, and the right outcome depends on what matters most to you, whether that is a job, a professional license, a student’s future, or immigration status. A theft offense can qualify as a crime of moral turpitude, which makes the immigration question serious even for a misdemeanor, and we weigh it before any plea is considered.

The long-term record also deserves attention. In Florida, a person can generally seal or expunge only one arrest record, and eligibility depends on how the case ended. Dismissals and acquittals open the door to expungement, while a withheld adjudication may allow sealing; a conviction typically does not qualify. That is why the way a case ends matters as much as whether it ends.

Dade City Theft Defense FAQs

What is the difference between petit theft and grand theft in Florida?

Value is the dividing line. Petit theft covers property worth less than $750 and is a misdemeanor, while grand theft covers $750 or more and is a felony. Certain items, such as firearms, are treated as grand theft regardless of value, and theft from a home carries a much lower felony threshold.

Can a first-time shoplifting charge be dismissed?

It often can be resolved favorably. First-offense cases are frequently candidates for diversion, a reduced charge, or a withheld adjudication, and some end in dismissal when the evidence on intent or identity is thin. The outcome depends on the facts and the prosecutor’s review.

What penalties do I face for petit theft?

Petit theft under $100 is a second-degree misdemeanor. Petit theft of $100 or more but under $750 is a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Probation and restitution are also common parts of a sentence.

What is the penalty for grand theft?

Grand theft of $750 up to under $20,000 is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Higher values move to a second-degree felony (up to 15 years, fine up to $10,000) and a first-degree felony (up to 30 years).

Does the store’s civil demand letter mean I will not be prosecuted?

No. A retailer’s civil demand is separate from the criminal case, and paying it does not end the prosecution. It can also be used against you, so speak with a lawyer before responding or paying anything.

Will I have to go to court in Dade City?

If the offense occurred in eastern Pasco County, your case will most likely be heard at the Robert D. Sumner Judicial Center in Dade City. Misdemeanors go before Pasco County Court and felonies before Pasco Circuit Court. In many cases a lawyer can appear for you at some hearings.

Can package theft from a porch be charged as a felony?

Yes. Taking property from a dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage is grand theft at a low threshold: $40 or more but under $750 is a third-degree felony, and so is $750 or more. A porch or front yard can count as curtilage.

How can a theft conviction affect my job or professional license?

Theft is a crime of dishonesty, which employers and licensing boards treat seriously. It can affect jobs involving cash, access, or trust, as well as nursing, teaching, real estate, and similar licenses. Avoiding a conviction, such as through diversion or a withheld adjudication, is often the main goal.

Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a petit theft charge?

Usually, yes. A misdemeanor can still bring jail, probation, restitution, and a record that appears on background checks. A lawyer can often secure an outcome that keeps the record eligible for sealing, which people handling their own cases frequently miss.

What if the item’s value was close to $750?

That is exactly where valuation disputes matter. We look at how the figure was calculated, whether retail price or fair market value was used, and whether the State can prove it. A modest reduction in the proven value can turn a felony into a misdemeanor.

Can I seal or expunge a theft arrest?

Possibly. Florida generally allows one arrest record to be sealed or expunged, and you must first obtain a certificate of eligibility from FDLE. Dismissals and acquittals can lead to expungement, while a withheld adjudication may allow sealing. We can review your record and tell you where you stand.

How long does a theft case take in Pasco County?

Misdemeanor cases can resolve in a few months, particularly when a diversion or negotiated outcome is available. Felony grand theft cases generally take longer because of discovery, motions, and negotiation. The timeline depends on the evidence and how the case is progressing.

Serving Theft Defense Clients From Dade City Across Pasco and Pinellas

We represent clients charged in Dade City and throughout eastern Pasco County, and we take cases from every corner of the county. In West Pasco, that includes New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson, Bayonet Point, Holiday, Trinity, Elfers, Jasmine Estates, and Beacon Square, where cases are typically heard at the West Pasco Judicial Center. Because theft arrests in this area are prosecuted by the same State Attorney’s Office, the approach carries across the county.

Across the county line, King Law Group defends clients in Pinellas County, including Clearwater, Largo, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and St. Petersburg. Pasco and Pinellas share the Sixth Judicial Circuit, so Cameron King’s years as a prosecutor there apply on both sides of the line, whether the case is a retail theft in a shopping center or a felony grand theft count.

Talk to a Dade City Theft Defense Attorney Today

A theft charge looks small until it shows up on a background check, and the choices made in the first days often decide how it ends. If you have been arrested, cited, or told you are under investigation, speak with a Dade City theft defense attorney before you give a statement or answer a retailer’s demand letter. King Law Group answers the phone 24/7, and your first consultation is free. Call today and we will listen to what happened, explain the charge and what it could mean for you, and lay out how we would defend it.