How a Tampa Grand Theft Lawyer Can Challenge Evidence Against You
If you have been charged with grand theft, it’s important to know that a skilled Tampa grand theft attorney with The Rickman Law Firm can challenge the evidence against you. Grand theft is tried seriously in Florida, but there are several ways your defense attorney can weaken the prosecution’s case and protect your rights.
What Is Grand Theft?
Grand theft happens when someone steals property worth $750 or more. The more valuable the stolen property, the more serious the charge:
Third-degree felony: Property valued between $750 and $20,000, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.
Second-degree felony: Property valued between $20,000 and $100,000, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
First-degree felony: Property valued over $100,000, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
How Can A Lawyer Challenge The Evidence?
Your Tampa grand theft lawyer with The Rickman Law Firm can use different strategies to challenge the evidence against you:
Illegal Search and Seizure
If the police didn’t follow the law when gathering evidence, your lawyer can argue that the evidence should be thrown out. Law enforcement must follow strict rules for searches. If your rights were violated, any evidence they collected may be considered inadmissible.
Disputing Property Value
The prosecution must prove the value of the stolen property. If the value is overstated, your Tampa grand theft attorney can challenge it. If successful, it could potentially reduce the charge from grand theft to a lesser charge, like petit theft, which carries lighter penalties.
Challenging Ownership
Your lawyer can argue that you believed the property was yours or that you had permission to use it. If there’s uncertainty over who really owned the property, it could weaken the prosecution’s case.
Proving Lack of Intent
To convict you of grand theft, the prosecution must prove you intended to steal. If your lawyer can show that you didn’t mean to take the property or believed you had a right to it, this could lead to the charges being reduced or dropped.
Negotiating with Prosecutors
Even if the evidence against you is strong, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea deal to reduce your charges or penalties. This often happens when the evidence is weak or when both sides prefer to avoid a lengthy trial.
Work With One of the Best Grand Theft Lawyers in Tampa Today
A grand theft charge does not have to result in a conviction, and a good grand theft lawyer in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm can challenge the evidence in many ways and seek the most favorable outcome possible.
Call our office at (813) 370-1185 or fill out the consultation form on our website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your free case consultation.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.