Orlando Theft Crimes Defense Attorney

Stay calm, avoid making statements to police or store security, and contact a theft defense lawyer immediately. Anything you say can be used against you even if you believe you are innocent — and especially if you are, because a well-meant explanation given under pressure can be repeated back to you inaccurately later.

Florida law defines theft as knowingly taking or using someone else’s property with the intent to deprive them of it, either temporarily or permanently. Whether the charge is a misdemeanor or a felony depends primarily on the value of the property and the circumstances of the offense. Because the grading is value-driven, the claimed value is often one of the most important contested issues in the case.

It is possible in many cases. Florida courts offer diversion programs and alternative sentencing options for eligible individuals, particularly first-time or non-violent cases. Depending on the facts, options may include pre-trial diversion, restitution agreements, or probation. Eligibility depends on your record, the charge, and the specific court, so it has to be assessed case by case rather than promised in advance.

Usually not on its own. Once a case is referred, the decision to file and pursue charges belongs to the State Attorney’s Office rather than to the store or the alleged victim. A store’s lack of interest in prosecuting can still matter to your defense, but it is handled through your attorney rather than by contacting the store yourself.

A defense attorney can investigate the case independently, negotiate with prosecutors, look for grounds to reduce or dismiss the charges, and help determine whether you qualify for pre-trial diversion or, later, expungement. Much of the value comes early — before positions harden and before you have said something that limits your options.

In many cases, yes — especially where the charge was dismissed or where you completed a diversion program. The process has detailed eligibility requirements that vary by case. We can review your situation and tell you honestly whether expungement is realistically available to you.

A conviction creates a permanent record that employers, landlords, and licensing boards can see. Because theft is treated as a crime of dishonesty, it tends to carry disproportionate weight in hiring decisions relative to the sentence itself. Limiting that long-term damage is a large part of what defense work on these cases is for.

Ask who will actually handle your file day to day, how much of the lawyer’s practice is criminal defense, whether they have tried cases to verdict, and how they will keep you informed between court dates. At this firm, Jose E. Lopez handles his clients’ cases personally — his clients work with him and no one else.

The consultation is free. Fees depend on the charge, the court, and how far the case is likely to go, and they are discussed openly before you decide anything. You will not be asked to commit to representation on the first call.

Yes. Attorney Jose E. Lopez was born in Puerto Rico and is fluent in Spanish. You can be consulted, represented, and kept informed entirely in Spanish.