WHY THEFT CRIMES ARE NOT ALWAYS PETTY
Civil Issues Not only does petty theft incur criminal charges, but there is a significant likelihood that the retail store will seek a civil attorney to pursue civil charges. Under Florida’s civil theft statute, a retailer can get three times the value of the merchandise taken or a minimum of $200. They are entitled to that money even if the merchandise is recovered. What’s more significant is that the statute provides the fees for the prevailing party’s attorney. A $10 knickknack taken from Claire’s boutique could end up costing several thousands of dollars in civil judgment costs along with any criminal sanction. On top of the potential civil court case, your arrest may be something you have to disclose to a potential employer. Since theft is a crime of moral turpitude, it may be a reason for a current employer to fire you, or for a potential future employer not to hire you. What to Do Simply put, there is nothing petty about petit theft. If you or a loved one has been charged with theft, download “My Loved One Has Been Arrested: What’s Next?” at matthewkoneckypa.com. Do not ignore any demand letters from civil attorneys. Save all court notices. Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to respond to the charges. Make sure you tell them about the civil demand letter(s) so they can potentially negotiate a better resolution to the demand, saving you money in the long run.
Theft is one of the most common crimes. We all know someone who bragged about shoplifting as a teenager. If you’ve worked in retail, you’ve been on the lookout for this crime on a daily basis. Its statutory name, petit theft — aka “petty theft” — makes this offense sound insignificant. But being charged with petty theft is serious, and if you’re convicted, it can have a lasting effect on your life. Criminal Impact While the lowest form of petit theft is a second- degree misdemeanor, theft charges can potentially land you with a first-degree felony charge. According to the Florida statutes, “A person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanently, deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from the property.” But it doesn’t take much to turn petit theft into grand theft. Any property taken in excess of $300 is considered grand theft — a third-degree felony.
After a second charge of petit theft, the defendant could face a felony theft charge, because the penalties are enhanced for each conviction. In addition to criminal
charges, trespass warnings are often issued, preventing the defendant from ever returning to that store. Upon returning after a trespass warning, an additional crime of trespass could be filed.
MEME CORNER
Vegan Irish Nacho Pie Cooking With Ashley
Ingredients •
2 large potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks 1 package vegan beefy crumbles (try Beyond Meat Beefy Crumbles) 1 package vegan cheddar-style shredded cheese (we like Follow Your Heart)
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1 cup Irish Cabbage Salsa (store-bought or homemade) 1 cup vegan sour cream (store-bought or homemade)
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Sliced green onions
Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Layer the potatoes, vegan beefy crumbles, and vegan cheese shreds in a pan and bake for 20–30 minutes, or until the “cheese” melts. 2. Remove from the oven and top with the Irish Cabbage Salsa, vegan sour cream, and green onions. 3. Makes 6–8 servings.
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peta.org/recipes/vegan-irish-nacho-pie
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