Property Crimes
Property crimes include a wide range of charges, from minor theft cases to serious felonies involving burglary or arson. Even lower-level property crime convictions can result in jail time, probation, fines, and long-lasting damage to a person’s record and reputation. Lawson and Simmons defend Florida clients facing property crime allegations by examining the evidence, questioning assumptions about intent, and working to protect future employment and educational opportunities.
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Types of Property Crimes and Theft Offenses
Property crime charges can involve accusations of shoplifting, petit theft, grand theft, burglary, robbery, criminal mischief, vandalism, fraud, or identity theft. The severity of the charge often depends on the nature of the conduct, the value of the property, and whether weapons or threats were involved.
Lawson and Simmons will analyze how the state calculated the value, whether ownership and consent are clear, and whether the alleged conduct matches the statute under which the charge was filed.
Evidence and Defenses in Property Crime Cases
Evidence in property crime cases can include surveillance footage, store records, eyewitness testimony, receipts, digital transactions, and statements from the accused. Defenses may involve challenging identification, disputing the value of the property, showing a lack of intent to steal, or highlighting errors in how evidence was collected or stored. In some cases, misunderstandings, mistaken identity, or legitimate ownership disputes lie at the heart of the allegations.
Long-Term Impact of Property Crime Convictions
A conviction for theft or other property crimes can appear on background checks for years, affecting job prospects, professional licenses, and housing applications. Employers often treat theft crimes as indicators of untrustworthiness, even when the offense was minor or occurred many years earlier.
Lawson and Simmons work to reduce or avoid convictions where possible, and, when appropriate, to pursue options such as record sealing or expungement if allowed by law.
What We Do
Shoplifting and Retail Theft Cases
Defense for clients accused of shoplifting, switching price tags, or other forms of retail theft, including cases involving store security and surveillance footage.
Petit Theft and Grand Theft Allegations
Representation for theft charges based on the value of the property, from lower-level offenses to serious felonies involving high-value items or repeat allegations.
Burglary and Trespass Cases
Defense for allegations involving unlawful entry into homes, businesses, or vehicles, as well as criminal trespass charges.
Fraud, Forgery, and Identity Theft
Representation in white-collar property crime cases involving accusations of fraud, forged documents, unauthorized credit card use, or identity theft.
Vandalism and Criminal Mischief
Defense for charges involving damage to property, graffiti, or other alleged acts of vandalism that result in criminal mischief allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I be charged with theft if I planned to return the property in Florida?
Theft focuses on intent to deprive the owner of property, which can be disputed when someone claims they meant to return the item. In this case, evidence such as messages, behavior at the scene, and how long the property was kept may be important to the defense. Your lawyer can argue that there was no intent to permanently deprive, depending on the specific facts.
2. What if the value of the property is less than the amount listed in the charge?
The value of the property often determines whether a theft is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. If the prosecution overstates the value, your attorney may challenge that figure using receipts, appraisals, or other proof of actual worth. A successful challenge can lead to reduced charges or penalties.
3. Do I have defenses if I am accused of shoplifting but never left the store?
In some cases, yes. While many shoplifting laws focus on intent and concealment, leaving the store is not always required for a charge. However, if you never passed the last point of sale, never concealed items, or promptly returned merchandise, those facts may support defenses that your lawyer can raise. Store security procedures and video recordings will be important evidence.
4. How does a property crime conviction affect my record?
A property crime conviction can become part of your permanent record and may be visible to employers, landlords, and licensing boards. Some offenses may qualify for sealing or expungement under certain conditions, while others may not. Your criminal defense attorney can explain how a specific charge may affect your record and whether post-conviction relief options are available.
5. Should I speak to store security or police if they accuse me of a property crime?
You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a criminal defense lawyer before answering questions from law enforcement or store security. Statements made in the heat of the moment may be misinterpreted or used against you later. Asking for an attorney before giving a statement helps protect your rights and ensures that your side of the story is presented in an informed way.
