Theft Lawyer Jupiter, FL

Facing theft charges in Palm Beach County can result in severe criminal penalties, significant fines, and lasting consequences that affect your employment, housing, and reputation for years to come. Whether you’re accused of shoplifting, grand theft, burglary, or any other property crime, the prosecution will aggressively pursue a conviction with the full weight of the criminal justice system behind them.

Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel has spent over 30 years defending clients against all types of theft-related charges throughout Palm Beach County. As a former Assistant State Attorney who prosecuted an abundance of cases before establishing his defense practice, Mr. Gabriel brings unique insight into prosecutorial strategies and will handle your case using all the knowledge and skill developed over the span of his extensive career.

Types of Theft Crimes Attorney Brian Gabriel Defends

Florida law categorizes theft offenses based on the value of allegedly stolen property, the circumstances of the crime, and the defendant’s prior criminal history. Each category carries distinct penalties and requires specific defense strategies tailored to the unique elements prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Petit Theft and Misdemeanor Charges

Petit theft involves property valued under $750 and typically results in misdemeanor charges. However, repeated petit theft offenses can escalate to felony charges with significant jail time and fines. Common examples include shoplifting items from retail stores, taking personal property from vehicles, or removing items from someone’s home without permission.

Grand Theft Felony Charges

Grand theft occurs when the alleged stolen property exceeds $750 in value or involves specific items like firearms, motor vehicles, or controlled substances, regardless of value. Grand theft charges range from third-degree felonies punishable by up to five years in prison to first-degree felonies carrying potential life sentences for the most serious cases.

Retail Theft and Shoplifting Defense

Retail theft and shoplifting cases often involve complex legal issues regarding intent, store policies, and surveillance evidence. Many clients face charges based on misunderstandings, false accusations from store employees, or defective anti-theft devices that trigger alarms incorrectly.

Store security personnel frequently exceed their authority, detain innocent customers unlawfully, or fail to follow proper procedures when making citizen’s arrests. Experienced defense attorneys understand how to challenge retail theft cases by examining surveillance footage for gaps or inconsistencies, questioning the credibility of store witnesses, and investigating whether security personnel violated your constitutional rights during detention.

Robbery and Armed Robbery Defense

Robbery and armed robbery represent the most serious theft-related charges, involving allegations of taking property through force, violence, or intimidation. These felony charges carry mandatory minimum sentences and lengthy prison terms that can devastate your future and separate you from your family for decades.

Robbery cases often depend heavily on eyewitness identification, which research has shown to be notoriously unreliable, especially during stressful situations. A defense attorney can challenge identification evidence through expert testimony, alibi evidence, and a thorough investigation of the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime.

Florida’s Theft Penalties

Florida’s theft penalties increase dramatically based on the value of allegedly stolen property and your prior criminal history. The state uses a tiered system that treats repeat offenders more harshly, even for relatively minor offenses.

Misdemeanor Penalties

First-degree misdemeanor petit theft applies to property valued between $100 and $749, punishable by up to one year in jail and $1,000 in fines. However, if you have two prior theft convictions, even minor shoplifting becomes a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Felony Penalties

Third-degree felony grand theft involves property valued between $750 and $19,999, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Second-degree felony grand theft applies to property valued between $20,000 and $99,999, with penalties up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Common Defense Strategies for Theft Cases

Successful theft defense requires thorough investigation of the prosecution’s evidence and development of compelling legal and factual arguments that create reasonable doubt in the minds of jurors. Several defense strategies may apply depending on your case’s specific circumstances.

Lack of intent to steal represents a fundamental defense in many theft cases. The prosecution must prove you intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property. If you genuinely believed you had permission to take the item, planned to return it, or made an honest mistake about ownership, these facts can negate the intent element required for conviction.

Insufficient evidence defenses focus on weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, such as:

Lack of fingerprint or DNA evidence connecting you to the alleged theft
Absence of surveillance footage clearly showing you taking the property
Unreliable witness testimony contradicted by physical evidence or other witnesses
Chain of custody problems with allegedly stolen items recovered by police
Constitutional violations during searches, seizures, or interrogations

These evidentiary challenges can result in suppression of key prosecution evidence or complete dismissal of charges before trial.

The Importance of Early Legal Intervention

Early intervention by an experienced criminal defense attorney can significantly impact the outcome of your theft case. Many clients wait too long to seek legal representation, allowing prosecutors to build stronger cases and missing opportunities for favorable pre-trial resolutions.

Your attorney can also communicate directly with prosecutors to negotiate reduced charges, alternative sentencing options, or participation in pretrial diversion programs that allow first-time offenders to avoid conviction through community service, restitution, and counseling programs.

Contact Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel in Palm Beach County

Theft charges carry serious consequences that extend far beyond criminal penalties, affecting your ability to find employment, secure housing, and maintain professional licenses. Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel has helped over 5,000 clients successfully navigate the criminal justice system and holds recognition as an Avvo Top Rated Lawyer 2024 and National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 2024. His extensive experience defending violent crime cases and property crimes ensures you receive dedicated representation focused on achieving the most favorable outcome possible.

Don’t let theft charges derail your future when experienced legal representation may be able to protect your rights and freedom. Start with a free consultation today by calling Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Gabriel of The Law Office of Gabriel & Gabriel at (561) 622-5575. You can also complete an online contact form to learn more.