Grand theft in Florida involves unlawfully taking property valued at $750 or more, and penalties increase as the value rises. These cases often turn on valuation, ownership, and intent, which means even small misunderstandings can lead to serious felony charges. Because grand theft is always a felony in Florida, fast legal intervention is critical. An Orlando grand theft defense attorney helps you challenge valuation, intent, and ownership elements that the prosecution must prove under Florida law. 

How the Law Offices of Jose E. Lopez Can Help

Grand theft charges can carry long-lasting consequences, which is why you need a defense team that focuses on evidence, strategy, and clear communication. Our firm works to protect your rights from the moment charges are filed.

Our advantages include:

  • Extensive experience handling felony theft cases across Central Florida
  • Close review of valuation evidence and other elements that the state must prove
  • Strong negotiation skills to seek reductions or alternative outcomes
  • Prompt communication to ensure clients understand each step
  • Detail-oriented analysis to identify inconsistencies in witness statements
  • Trial-ready representation when litigation is the best option

We build each defense around the facts, the strength of the evidence, and your individual goals, ensuring a focused path forward. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights, freedom, and future.

How Florida Defines Grand Theft and What It Means for Your Case

Grand theft covers a wide range of property types, including electronics, vehicles, personal items, and business assets. Florida law divides grand theft into degrees based on the value or nature of the property:

  • Third-degree grand theft: Typically applies to property valued between $750 and $20,000, or to certain items such as firearms and motor vehicles.
  • Second-degree grand theft: Involves property valued between $20,000 and $100,000.
  • First-degree grand theft: Applies when the property is valued at over $100,000 or when specific circumstances exist, such as the use of a vehicle to cause damage.

The classification determines potential penalties and influences which defenses are available. Prosecutors must prove both the property’s value and that the accused intended to deprive the owner of it.

How Prosecutors Build Grand Theft Cases in Orlando

To secure a conviction, the state must show that a defendant knowingly took property belonging to someone else. Prosecutors often rely on a combination of direct and circumstantial evidence, including:

  • Store surveillance or security footage
  • Witness statements
  • Receipts, invoices, and valuation documents
  • GPS or digital tracking information
  • Text messages, emails, or other communications

A strong defense tests every assumption in the state’s case. Common challenges include whether the accused believed they had permission, whether the property was actually taken, and whether ownership records support the prosecution’s theory. Many cases involve inflated valuations or misunderstandings about possession.

Why Property Valuation Matters in Grand Theft Charges

Valuation determines the severity of the charge, making it one of the most contested issues. Florida courts use fair market value at the time of the alleged offense, not original purchase price or replacement cost. This often requires competing documentation or expert opinions.

Defense strategies frequently center on valuation problems, such as:

  • Outdated or speculative estimates
  • Incorrect assumptions about depreciation
  • Missing or incomplete records
  • Attempts to inflate the value to reach a felony threshold

If prosecutors cannot prove value beyond a reasonable doubt, charges may be reduced or dismissed.

Defense Options After a Grand Theft Arrest

People accused of grand theft have several potential defense strategies depending on the nature of the evidence. These may include disputing ownership, demonstrating a lack of intent, challenging valuation, showing consent, or exposing procedural errors that violated constitutional rights. Early legal representation is critical, as key evidence—such as surveillance footage or store records—may be lost if not preserved promptly. A tailored defense focuses on reducing penalties, seeking diversion options, or negotiating for charge reductions when appropriate.

Talk to a Grand Theft Defense Attorney Today

You face an uphill battle if you have been charged with grand theft in Orlando. Trust the Law Offices of Jose E. Lopez to guide you through the process and protect your rights at every step. Call us today!

People Also Ask

Is grand theft always charged as a felony in Florida?

Yes. Grand theft is a felony, but the degree varies depending on the property’s value and type. The higher the valuation, the more severe the penalties.

Can grand theft charges be reduced to petit theft?

Yes. If valuation evidence is weak or inconsistent, defense attorneys may argue for a reduction to a misdemeanor charge of petit theft, especially when the fair market value is unclear.

What if I believed I had permission to take the property?

A reasonable belief of permission can undermine the intent element that prosecutors must prove. This defense often applies when people share property, work together, or have informal agreements.