Overview
Theft and property offenses cover a wide spectrum — from a shoplifting accusation to a felony burglary — but they share a common danger: a conviction brands you as dishonest, and that label can haunt job applications, professional licensing, and background checks for years. The good news is that these cases often hinge on questions of value, intent, and ownership that a careful defense can challenge, and that many of them can be resolved in ways that keep a conviction off your record entirely.
Piotrowski Law Firm defends people accused of theft and property crimes throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County — in Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, and Pembroke Pines. Whether this is a first allegation or a more serious felony, we work to protect your record and your future.
Florida theft & property charges
Florida’s primary theft statute, Fla. Stat. §812.014, grades theft offenses largely by the value of what was allegedly taken — which is why the dollar amount is frequently a decisive issue. Common charges include:
- Petit theft — lower-value thefts, typically charged as misdemeanors (shoplifting often falls here)
- Grand theft — thefts at or above the statutory value thresholds, charged as felonies of varying degrees
- Burglary — entering or remaining in a structure, dwelling, or conveyance with intent to commit an offense inside
- Dealing in stolen property — trafficking in, or attempting to traffic in, property known or suspected to be stolen (a serious felony)
- Robbery, carjacking, and related offenses involving force or threat
Because the grade of the offense can turn on a valuation, the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony — or between one felony degree and another — may come down to a single contested figure. We will explain in plain language what the specific charge means for you, rather than leave you guessing.
How we defend theft cases
A charge is not a conviction, and the State must prove every element. We focus on the issues that most often decide these cases:
- Intent. Theft requires the intent to deprive an owner of property. Borrowing, a genuine misunderstanding, or a good-faith claim of right is not theft.
- Value. Grand-theft and felony grading depend on value. We challenge inflated or unsupported valuations that push a misdemeanor into felony territory.
- Ownership and identity. The State must prove the property was not yours and that you are the person responsible — eyewitness and surveillance identifications are not always reliable.
- The search and the evidence. If evidence was obtained through an unlawful stop or search, we move to suppress it.
Restitution & diversion to protect your record
For many clients — especially first-time and non-violent offenders — the central goal is keeping a conviction off the record. Miami-Dade and Broward County offer pretrial diversion and intervention programs that can lead to dismissal upon successful completion, and resolving the matter often involves restitution — making the alleged victim whole — in exchange for a more favorable outcome. Where you qualify, we negotiate toward a resolution designed to protect your record so a single mistake does not define your future. Eligibility depends on the offense, your history, and the prosecutor’s position.
Talk to a Miami theft defense attorney today
The earlier you have counsel, the more room there is to challenge the value, preserve surveillance footage, and negotiate a record-protecting resolution. Your initial consultation is free and confidential, and our phones are answered 24/7. Request a consultation.
This page provides general information about theft and property-crime defense in Florida and is not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different. Reading this page or contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation.