Boca Raton Grand Theft Lawyers: Fighting for Your Rights
Grand theft charges in Boca Raton can lead to serious penalties, including years in prison, hefty fines, and a felony record. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side if you are facing accusations. The lawyers at Bottari & Doyle have extensive experience handling theft cases of all kinds in Boca Raton and understand these charges can happen during challenging times when people feel they have no other choice.
An Overview of Theft Charges in Florida
There are a few categories of theft charges in Florida law:
- Grand Theft – First Degree – When the stolen property is worth $100,000 or more
- Grand Theft – Second Degree – When the stolen property is worth between $20,000 and $100,000
- Grand Theft – Third Degree – Covers a wide range of situations, including:
- Property worth between $750 and $20,000
- Stealing a will or testament
- Stealing a firearm, motor vehicle, farm animal, fire extinguisher, citrus fruit (2,000 pieces or more)
- Stealing from a construction site
- Stealing a stop sign or anhydrous ammonia
- Stealing a controlled substance
- Stealing $100 to $750 from a home or curtilage
The penalties get serious quickly. For example, a third-degree grand theft conviction, which is common, can lead to 5 years in prison and $5,000 in fines. Plus, it adds 10 points to a defendant’s criminal scorecard. So the charges shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Why You Need an Experienced Lawyer
Theft charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and an attorney can poke holes in the prosecution’s case. For example, showing you didn’t actually “deprive” the victim of property or benefit from it could defeat the charges. An lawyer can also negotiate with prosecutors for reduced penalties or alternate resolutions like pretrial diversion to avoid a conviction.
Potential Defenses to Theft Charges
Here are some of the defenses a knowledgeable lawyer might use to fight your theft charges:
- You had permission – If the property owner consented to you borrowing or taking the item, it may not qualify as theft.
- Mistake of fact – If you reasonably believed you had permission to take the property or that it was yours, you may not have criminal intent.
- Intoxication – Evidence you were extremely impaired could negate the intent required.
- Duress – If you took the item because someone threatened you, it could provide a defense.
- Entrapment – If police improperly induced you into committing the theft, the charges could get dismissed.
An attorney can review the facts of your case and decide if any of these defenses apply.
Why Choose Bottari & Doyle for Your Theft Case
The lawyers at Bottari & Doyle have extensive experience representing clients accused all types of theft. They take the time to understand the circumstances that led to the charges so they can build the strongest defense. Their non-judgmental approach gives clients confidence they will fight for the best possible outcome.
Some of the reasons to choose Bottari & Doyle include:
- Decades of experience – With over 25 years handling theft cases, they know which strategies work.
- Reasonable fees – They offer flexible payment plans to make their services affordable.
- Focus on results – Their track record shows they get charges reduced or dismissed.
- Personalized attention – They give each case the attention it deserves.
What to Expect if You Hire Bottari & Doyle
Here is an overview of what you can expect if you retain Bottari & Doyle to handle your theft charges:
- Initial consultation – This free meeting allows them to understand your case and lay out your options.
- Investigation – They dig into the circumstances and evidence thoroughly to build your defense.
- Client updates – They keep you informed at each stage and address any concerns.
- Plea negotiations – They leverage their relationships with prosecutors to seek reductions.
- Trial preparation – If a satisfactory plea deal can’t get reached, they fully prepare your case for trial.
- Court appearances – An attorney handles all court dates so you don’t have to face it alone.
- Sentencing advocacy – They present mitigating factors to the judge to help minimize penalties.
With an experienced law firm like Bottari & Doyle leading your defense, you can feel confident your rights will be protected and the best outcome achieved. Don’t leave your fate to chance – contact them for a free consultation today.