Florida Statute 812.014(3) is petit theft — what most people call shoplifting or misdemeanor theft. The dollar amounts decide the charge, and your record can turn pocket change into a felony.
The value ladder
- Under $100: petit theft of the second degree — second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail (§ 812.014(3)(a)).
- $100 to under $750: petit theft of the first degree — first-degree misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail.
- $750 or more: no longer petit theft — that is grand theft, a third-degree felony.
Priors change everything
- One prior theft conviction: any new petit theft is charged as a first-degree misdemeanor (§ 812.014(3)(b)).
- Two or more prior theft convictions: a new petit theft — of any value, even a candy bar — is a third-degree felony (§ 812.014(3)(c)).
The detail most people miss
A theft conviction is a crime of dishonesty — the one category employers, licensing boards, and immigration authorities treat most harshly, and it can be used to attack your credibility if you ever testify in court. Fighting for an outcome that keeps a theft conviction off your record permanently matters more with this charge than with almost any other misdemeanor.
Facing a petit theft charge in Polk County? Call (863) 774-4556 for a free consultation, or send us a message. Board Certified · Reach Us 24/7 · Hablamos Español.
Read the law yourself: Fla. Stat. § 812.014 (official Florida Statutes). Related on this site: Petit theft defense.
Legally reviewed by Tonmiel Rodriguez, Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar. The Rodriguez Law Office defends these charges across Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice about your case.