What is Theft?

According to Florida Statutes Section 812.014, theft is when a person (1) knowingly acquires or uses, or attempts to obtain, the property of another (2) with an intent to temporarily or permanent deprive another person of a property right or benefit or take the property for his or her personal use or the use by any person not entitled. This definition is applicable to many types of theft. Two key elements of theft are that the defendant knew that the property was not his/hers and intended depriving the rightful owner of his or her property rights.
Grand theft and petit theft are used for classification and sentencing. Grand theft is when the goods or money are larger in value and can lead to harsher sentencing. Petit theft, also known as petty theft, is the taking of smaller items. Petit theft is defined in section 812.014 as property less than $300 and grand theft property greater than $300. Grand theft can also be applied to other goods, which are not monetary in nature. These include testamentary documents (such as wills or codicils), firearms and motor vehicles, commercially raised animals, fire extinguishers and citrus fruits over 2,000 pieces. Construction site signs, stop signs and anhydrous ammonia are all examples of controlled substances that can be considered grand theft. Petit theft is classified by the Statute into misdemeanors and felonies, or a third degree felony if there have been more than two previous convictions for theft. Depending on the circumstances of the crime, grand theft can be classified as a first, second or third-degree felony.