In the grand scheme of things, vandalism — or “criminal mischief” — may seem like an innocent crime when compared to other, more harmful offenses. However, vandalism — whether it involves graffiti, smashing windows or keying a car — is a criminal offense. As a result,...
Theft & Property Crimes
Is Theft a Felony in Florida?
The laws that determine whether stealing something is considered a felony or a less severe crime typically hinge on the value of the property stolen, and differ from state to state. Florida has some of the strictest laws out of any state. If you are caught stealing...
Vandalism can result in serious consequences
In Florida, vandalism charges are no joke. Florida Department of Law Enforcement reports that property crime makes up 85.6 percent of all crime. Vandalism might seem like a minor property crime. In fact, most people believe that vandalism is a relatively harmless...
Is graffiti illegal in Florida?
Many people call graffiti "art," but Florida lawmakers are not among them. Florida law categorizes graffiti as vandalism and though it may seem like a harmless enough offense, it costs business owners an average of $3,370 per year. To offset this cost, business owners...
The new debate over technology and privacy rights
The use of facial recognition technology could mean that those who have shoplifted in Florida could be banned from stores across the country. This could result in a person not being allowed to shop anywhere, which may be an example of technological overreach....
Crimes considered to be larceny in Florida
In Florida, larceny refers to the crime of taking property from another party. It can also occur when the owner of an item is denied the right to use it in a constructive manner. Furthermore, an individual may be guilty of such an offense if he or she carries or rides...
Factors that go into a theft sentence
Those who are convicted of theft in Florida can face a range of penalties. The exact penalties will depend on the severity of the crime and other factors relevant to the case. Generally speaking, if the stolen property's value is less than $1,000, a defendant will...
Charges filed in Florida heiress fraud case
Authorities have charged a 52-year-old woman and a 45-year-old man with swindling the heiress to the Wrigley chewing gum fortune out of almost $500,000. The arrests come after a yearlong investigation by the Florida Attorney General's Office and Department of Law...
How the law defines theft in Florida
In the state of Florida, theft laws cover a range of offenses such as larceny or stealing. Theft occurs when an individual intentionally takes or uses property that belongs to another person. An accused person must intend to deprive the owner of that property to be...
Drug treatment center operators accused of forgery
A husband and wife in Florida were charged on Feb. 9 for forging checks and depositing them into the bank accounts of two companies that they operate. The 37-year-old man is facing 13 forgery counts, and his 29-year-old wife is facing two forgery counts. The total...