Stealing High-Value Collectibles in Florida: What Are My Penalties?
Someone with an extremely high-value collection may be a prime target for theft in Florida. After all, a piece of fine art or a collectible trading card can be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars to the right buyer. What happens if you were caught trying to steal one of these items? What kinds of penalties could you face? More importantly, can a Fort Myers theft defense attorney help you push back against your charges?
The Higher the Value, the Higher the Penalties
As is the case in many other jurisdictions, Florida increases theft penalties depending on the value of the stolen property. A collectible could easily be worth more than $100,000. If this is the case, then first-degree felony charges apply. As a result, you could face up to 30 years in prison after a conviction.
Collectibles, antiques, and fine art are often owned by seniors. If you stole one of these items from a senior, you could face a first-degree felony even if the property in question was worth $50,000. If the value of the collectible is worth more than $20,000, you could face a second-degree felony and up to 15 years in prison.
What if I Never Successfully Stole the Collectible?
If you never successfully stole the collectible, you could still face criminal charges for attempting to take it. In this situation, burglary charges may apply. Since most people keep their collectibles in their private residences, you may face a second-degree felony for burglarizing a dwelling.
This may lead to 15 years in prison. Note that you could face both burglary and theft charges for the same offense. However, theft charges only apply in addition when you successfully steal the item in question. If you used explosives during the crime (perhaps to open a safe), you face a first-degree felony and up to life in prison.
What Are My Defense Strategies for Theft of Collectibles?
An obvious strategy is to push the market value of the stolen item down as far as possible. In a case like this, expert appraisers may offer their testimony as to the true value of the item in question. In an ideal scenario, an appraiser will tell the court that the collectible is actually a fake or a replica, and its value is essentially nil. This could push your potential penalty from decades in prison to a few months in jail (if that).
Can a Fort Myers Theft Defense Lawyer Help Me?
If you were caught trying to steal a high-value collectible, you may face charges such as grand theft, burglary, and potentially more. Although this situation may seem daunting, various defense strategies could help in this situation. Discuss your options with a Fort Myers defense attorney at The Foley & Wilson Law Firm today.
Sources:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0812/Sections/0812.014.html
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0800-0899/0810/Sections/0810.02.html