Know what you're facing
Plain-English notes on Florida charges, court procedure, and what to expect — written by the attorney who handles the cases.
FAQsHow does the value of property affect robbery vs. theft charges?In theft cases, value plays a major role; taking a $500 phone is a misdemeanor, while taking a $1,000 phone is a felony. However, in robbery cases, the value is irrelevant to the primary charge. Using force to take a $1 bill is just as much a second-degree felony as using force to take $10,000. […]Read article →FAQsIs "Robbery by Sudden Snatching" the same as regular robbery?Florida has a specific statute for this (§ 812.131). It applies when property is taken from a victim’s person (like a purse snatching), and the victim becomes aware of the taking as it happens. Unlike regular robbery, the prosecutor does not need to prove that the offender used additional force or that the victim resisted. […]Read article →FAQsWhat are the penalties for armed robbery in Fort Lauderdale?Armed robbery is one of the serious offenses in the 17th Judicial Circuit. Under Florida Statute § 812.13(2)(a), if a firearm or deadly weapon is used, it is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. Additionally, Florida’s 10-20-Life law may apply; for example, if a firearm is possessed during the crime, there […]Read article →FAQsCan a theft charge be upgraded to robbery in Florida?If a simple theft escalates into a physical struggle, it may be reclassified. Under Florida law, if force is used at any point during the "continuous series of acts" involving the taking, including during the escape or while resisting the owner’s attempts to recover the property, the state may pursue a robbery charge. This "after-the-fact" […]Read article →FAQsWhat is the difference between robbery and theft in Florida?The primary difference is the use of force. Theft (Florida Statute § 812.014) involves taking property without permission and is usually penalized based on the item's value. Robbery (Florida Statute § 812.13) involves taking property directly from a person using force, violence, or by creating fear. Because robbery threatens physical safety, it is always a […]Read article →
BlogsIdentity Theft in Florida: Criminal Charges and Potential PenaltiesIdentity theft is one of the most vigorously prosecuted "white-collar" crimes in South Florida. In a fast-paced economic hub like Fort Lauderdale, law enforcement agencies and the 17th Judicial Circuit Court take a zero-tolerance approach to the fraudulent use of personal information. Whether an allegation involves a single credit card or a complex data breach, […]Read article →
BlogsPetit Theft vs. Grand Theft in Florida: What Is the Difference?Facing a theft allegation in South Florida can be overwhelming. Whether the incident occurred at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale or involved a private-property dispute in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, the legal consequences follow a strict state-law framework. In the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, the severity of the case often turns […]Read article →
BlogsGrand Theft in Florida: Charges, Thresholds, and PenaltiesA charge of grand theft in Florida is a serious legal matter that can significantly alter the course of your life. In a vibrant economic hub like Fort Lauderdale, accusations of theft often arise from misunderstandings in business transactions, retail incidents, or disputes over property ownership. Once a theft charge is classified as “grand theft,” […]Read article →
BlogsRobbery vs. Theft in Florida: What Sets These Charges ApartFacing criminal allegations in South Florida is a high-stakes situation that requires immediate clarity. While people often use the terms “robbery” and “theft” interchangeably in casual conversation, the question of robbery vs. theft in Florida involves fundamentally different offenses under state law. In Broward County, the distinction between these two charges can mean the difference […]Read article →
BlogsIdentity Theft in Florida: Criminal Charges and Potential PenaltiesIdentity theft is one of the most vigorously prosecuted "white-collar" crimes in South Florida. In a fast-paced economic hub like Fort Lauderdale, law enforcement agencies and the 17th Judicial Circuit Court take a zero-tolerance approach to the fraudulent use of personal information. Whether an allegation involves a single credit card or a complex data breach, […]Read article →BlogsPetit Theft vs. Grand Theft in Florida: What Is the Difference?Facing a theft allegation in South Florida can be overwhelming. Whether the incident occurred at The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale or involved a private-property dispute in a Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, the legal consequences follow a strict state-law framework. In the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in and for Broward County, the severity of the case often turns […]Read article →BlogsGrand Theft in Florida: Charges, Thresholds, and PenaltiesA charge of grand theft in Florida is a serious legal matter that can significantly alter the course of your life. In a vibrant economic hub like Fort Lauderdale, accusations of theft often arise from misunderstandings in business transactions, retail incidents, or disputes over property ownership. Once a theft charge is classified as “grand theft,” […]Read article →BlogsRobbery vs. Theft in Florida: What Sets These Charges ApartFacing criminal allegations in South Florida is a high-stakes situation that requires immediate clarity. While people often use the terms “robbery” and “theft” interchangeably in casual conversation, the question of robbery vs. theft in Florida involves fundamentally different offenses under state law. In Broward County, the distinction between these two charges can mean the difference […]Read article →