Broward and Palm Beach County Locations
Experienced With Theft Cases. Let Us Fight For You
If you have been arrested for any type of theft charge, contact attorney Ray Ledezma. Schedule a free consultation either on the phone or in the office. If you need a shoplifting or theft attorney for a case contact our office today.
Most individuals charged with theft are considered “first time offenders” with no prior record. Attorney Ray Ledezma has represented both women and men on a variety of different types of theft charges. We fight each charge to protect our client at each stage of the case.
The Florida legislature has enacted varying degrees of theft charges with different maximum penalties. Any theft charge, from misdemeanor shoplifting to a felony grand theft, is considered “a crime of dishonesty.” A conviction for any crime of dishonesty can be used against you when you apply for a job, during a background check, or if you ever testify in a court of law.
Under the Florida Fingerprint Requirement, anyone found guilty of theft (even petit theft or shoplifting) is required to have their fingerprints taken in court. The judge is required to affix a written judgment to the file which then becomes a public record.
Even if you are not convicted, your name can go into a national database used by employers when they conduct background checks. Additionally, prior convictions for theft can increase the sentence if you are caught re-offending, and in certain cases, the charge can be enhanced based on a prior conviction.
The Florida legislature has enacted varying degrees of theft charges with different maximum penalties. Any theft charge, from misdemeanor shoplifting to a felony grand theft, is considered “a crime of dishonesty.” A conviction for any crime of dishonesty can be used against you when you apply for a job, during a background check, or if you ever testify in a court of law.
Under the Florida Fingerprint Requirement, anyone found guilty of theft (even petit theft or shoplifting) is required to have their fingerprints taken in court. The judge is required to affix a written judgment to the file which then becomes a public record.
Even if you are not convicted, your name can go into a national database used by employers when they conduct background checks. Additionally, prior convictions for theft can increase the sentence if you are caught re-offending, and in certain cases, the charge can be enhanced based on a prior conviction.
False accusations for theft offenses can occur for numerous reasons. If you have been falsely accused of any kind of theft offense you should act quickly to have an attorney address the issue before a filing decision is made by the State Attorney’s Office.
For instance, in rare cases, a shoplifting charge can result from an accidental taking when the person became distracted. Even in those rare cases in which the law enforcement officer believes that the shopper took the item by mistake, the officer will usually go ahead with making the arrest. An attorney can best present your side of the story to law enforcement, the alleged victim and the state attorney’s office in an attempt to convince them not to go forward with a prosecution even days after the incident.
In other cases, theft or shoplifting is a symptom of an underlying psychological problem that can best be addressed outside of the criminal justice system. By being proactive in seeking counseling, you may be able to show the court, prosecutor, and alleged victim that you do not deserve a criminal record or a jail sentence. Contact an experienced theft attorney early in your case so that you can discuss ways to address the behavior that lead to the criminal accusation.
For instance, in rare cases, a shoplifting charge can result from an accidental taking when the person became distracted. Even in those rare cases in which the law enforcement officer believes that the shopper took the item by mistake, the officer will usually go ahead with making the arrest. An attorney can best present your side of the story to law enforcement, the alleged victim and the state attorney’s office in an attempt to convince them not to go forward with a prosecution even days after the incident.
In other cases, theft or shoplifting is a symptom of an underlying psychological problem that can best be addressed outside of the criminal justice system. By being proactive in seeking counseling, you may be able to show the court, prosecutor, and alleged victim that you do not deserve a criminal record or a jail sentence. Contact an experienced theft attorney early in your case so that you can discuss ways to address the behavior that lead to the criminal accusation.
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