Tampa Theft and Shoplifting Defense Lawyer

Have You Been Charged with a Theft or Shoplifting Crime?

Attorney Ron Frey defends people accused of theft and shoplifting in Tampa. A theft conviction can have lasting consequences. For example, having a theft or shoplifting conviction on your record can make it very difficult to get a job in the future.

Many people do not think about these ramifications, so they decide to face theft or shoplifting charges without a lawyer. Facing a theft charge without a lawyer can create problems that are hard to undo.

If you have been accused of a theft or shoplifting crime, contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

The Laws Involved

In Florida, theft is generally charged under Section 812.014, Florida Statutes (theft), and retail theft or shoplifting under Section 812.015 (retail and farm theft). Dealing in stolen property is generally addressed under Section 812.019. In the federal system, theft cases are typically charged under statutes such as 18 U.S.C. § 641 (public money, property or records) and 18 U.S.C. § 2314 (transportation of stolen goods). Laws change often, so contact Attorney Ron Frey to discuss your case and the current state of the law.

How Attorney Ron Frey Can Help

At The Frey Law Firm, LLC, in Tampa, Florida, Attorney Ron Frey defends people accused of theft charges.

Our firm defends a range of charges, including:

• Robbery
• Armed robbery
• Burglary
• Shoplifting/retail theft

We also defend clients who are accused of white collar crimes such as fraud and embezzlement.

Do Not Put Your Professional License at Risk

Many individuals who face shoplifting charges, including financially secure professionals, are the last people you would expect to be accused of theft.

The charges often bring shame, embarrassment and fear, and many defendants believe they can resolve the case quietly if they represent themselves in the criminal proceedings. What they forget is any conviction could jeopardize their professional license. At a time like this, contact a lawyer, such as Attorney Ron Frey, before deciding how to handle the case.

Are You a First-time Offender?

First-time offenders often face some of the greatest challenges in the criminal justice system. First-timers believe they will be treated fairly if they speak freely and answer every question the police ask. Unfortunately, that is not how the system works. First-time offenders are often unfamiliar with investigators’ tactics and can be hurt by trusting the process.

At The Frey Law Firm, LLC, we represent criminal defendants of all types, but we focus especially on helping individuals who are in the criminal justice system for the first time. We know how investigators and prosecutors can approach first-time offenders, and we work to protect your rights.

Theft Defense in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and Pinellas County

Attorney Ron Frey defends people accused of theft crimes in Tampa, throughout Hillsborough County and Pinellas County, and across the Tampa Bay area. Theft cases range from a shoplifting accusation at a store to allegations of grand theft, employee theft, or dealing in stolen property. A theft charge can affect a job, a professional license, school, and immigration status, even when the amount alleged is small. If you or a friend or family member has been accused of theft, it is important to get legal guidance early.

Petit Theft, Grand Theft, and Why Value Matters

Under Section 812.014, the value of the property alleged often decides whether a case is charged as petit theft, a misdemeanor, or grand theft, a felony. Property valued at $750 or more is generally charged as grand theft, and higher values bring higher degrees. Prior theft convictions and the place or type of property taken can also raise the charge. How the State calculates value is often an important question in the case. Laws change, so contact Attorney Ron Frey to discuss your case and the current state of the law.

Shoplifting, Employee Theft, and Dealing in Stolen Property

Shoplifting is usually charged as retail theft under Section 812.015, and a store’s loss prevention staff may detain a person and call police before any officer arrives. Employee theft cases often start with an internal audit, video review, or an interview with a manager, and they can be charged as theft or treated as a white collar case. Dealing in stolen property under Section 812.019 can involve pawn shops, online sales, or resale of items the State says a person knew or should have known were stolen. Each of these charges has its own elements, and the facts matter.

Licensed Professionals, Students, and Your Rights at Every Stage

Attorney Ron Frey has represented many licensed professionals, including nurses, teachers, doctors, lawyers, pharmacists, real estate agents, and Series 7 holders. A theft accusation can bring licensing board, employer, or school consequences in addition to the criminal case. A case may begin with a stop by store security, a search, a seizure of property, an inquiry from an employer, an investigation, an arrest, or a target letter. You have rights at every stage. Contact a lawyer before answering questions, writing a statement, or signing anything. Read more about professional licensing concerns and options for first-time offenders.

What Happens Next in a Florida Theft Case

After an arrest or notice to appear, a Hillsborough County or Pinellas County case usually moves to an arraignment, where a plea is entered and the court sets next dates. Next steps can include review of video, receipts, and witness statements, motions, negotiations, and trial. In some cases, a pretrial diversion program may be an option to discuss, but eligibility depends on the case, the person’s history, and the prosecutor. Every case is different. Deadlines, requirements, obligations, and strategies are unique to each case, and information on a website can’t simply be applied to your circumstances. Contact Attorney Ron Frey for a free, confidential initial consultation by phone, video, or in person. Call or text (813) 775-2276 to talk about your case or the case of a friend or family member. You can also contact us online.

Theft Charges in Tampa: Common Questions

What’s the difference between petit theft and grand theft in Florida?

Under Fla. Stat. § 812.014, the value of the property usually decides the charge. Property valued at $750 or more is generally charged as grand theft, a felony. Property valued under $750 is generally charged as petit theft, a misdemeanor, though the type of property and where it was taken can raise the charge. Higher values can raise the degree of grand theft. How the State calculates value is often contested. For a fuller walkthrough, see our post on theft charges in Tampa.

What if I’m accused of shoplifting at a Tampa store?

Shoplifting is usually charged as retail theft under Fla. Stat. § 812.015. Store loss prevention may stop a person, ask questions and call the police before any officer arrives. Many people later get a civil demand letter from a law firm hired by the store. That letter is separate from the criminal case, and paying it does not by itself resolve the criminal charge. Speak with an attorney before talking with loss prevention, signing anything or responding to a civil demand. Our theft charges post covers civil demand letters in more detail.

Can a theft charge be resolved without a conviction?

Sometimes. Some first-time theft cases may qualify for a diversion program such as Hillsborough Pretrial Intervention, and Pinellas County has its own pretrial intervention options. Prosecutors can also reduce or drop charges. No lawyer can promise that outcome. What Attorney Ron Frey can do is review the evidence, look for problems in how value was calculated or how the stop happened, and talk with the prosecutor about the options that may apply. See also our page for first-time offenders.

Should I talk to loss prevention, police or detectives?

Speak with an attorney before answering any questions, making a statement or signing anything, whether the person asking works for the store or for the police. The same goes for agreeing to a search of your bag, car, phone or home. Whether you have to give up a phone, computer or a password can depend on the circumstances, including whether there is a search warrant or court order, so speak with an attorney first. You don’t have to wait for a court date to call. A friend or family member can call for you while you are in custody.

Can I find answers about a theft charge online or from AI?

Online articles and AI chatbots can explain general rules, but they don’t know the facts of your case, and they can be wrong about Florida law. Attorney Ron Frey has over 20 years of experience defending people charged with crimes, and The Frey Law Firm, LLC handles petit theft, grand theft, retail theft and related property crime cases in Tampa and throughout Hillsborough County.

Call or text (813) 775-2276 for a free, confidential initial consultation by phone, video or in person.