Theft and Larceny in Florida: Conviction Rates by County

Theft and larceny are among the most common criminal charges in Florida. The state's theft statutes, primarily under Chapter 812, create a tiered system where penalties increase with the value of stolen property. This guide covers the legal framework and outcome data from our database of over 1.69 million FDLE court records.

Florida Theft Classifications

Petit Theft

Second-degree petit theft (§ 812.014(3)(a)) — Property under $100: second-degree misdemeanor, up to 60 days in jail, $500 fine
First-degree petit theft (§ 812.014(2)(e)) — Property $100–$749: first-degree misdemeanor, up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine

Enhanced penalties: A third petit theft becomes a third-degree felony under § 812.014(3)(b).

Grand Theft

Third-degree grand theft (§ 812.014(2)(c)) — Property $750–$19,999: third-degree felony, up to 5 years in prison
Second-degree grand theft (§ 812.014(2)(b)) — Property $20,000–$99,999: second-degree felony, up to 15 years
First-degree grand theft (§ 812.014(2)(a)) — Property $100,000+: first-degree felony, up to 30 years

Retail Theft (Shoplifting)

Florida has specific retail theft provisions under § 812.015. Standard retail theft follows the same value thresholds. Organized retail theft — when two or more persons coordinate — is a third-degree felony regardless of value. Merchants may detain suspected shoplifters under § 812.015(3)(a) and seek civil damages under § 772.11.

Driver's License Consequences

Under § 812.0155, a theft conviction results in mandatory license suspension: 6 months for a first conviction, 1 year for a second, and 5 years for a third or subsequent.

What Our Data Shows

Our analysis of theft and larceny cases across Florida reveals notable patterns:

Volume — Theft/larceny ranks among the highest-volume charge categories in Florida
Adjudication withheld — Theft cases have a relatively high withhold rate, particularly for first offenders
Diversion — Many counties offer pre-trial diversion for first-time theft offenders
County variation — Conviction and dismissal rates vary by county; tourist-heavy counties may prosecute retail theft more aggressively

See our theft/larceny charge page for the complete county breakdown.

Defense Strategies

Common defenses include lack of intent, mistaken identification, owner's consent, value disputes (which can affect the charge level), and factual innocence. For retail theft, challenging evidence sufficiency and merchant identification procedures are common approaches.

Larceny / Theft — Statewide Data

146,779

Total Cases

66.2%

Guilty Rate

1.6%

Dismissal Rate

18.9%

Withheld Rate

View full Larceny / Theft data by county →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between petit theft and grand theft in Florida?

The distinction is based on value. Petit theft covers property valued under $750: first-degree petit theft ($100-$749) is a first-degree misdemeanor, and second-degree petit theft (under $100) is a second-degree misdemeanor. Grand theft covers property $750 or more and is a felony.

Can you go to jail for shoplifting in Florida?

Yes. Even second-degree petit theft for items under $100 carries up to 60 days in jail. Under section 812.015, organized retail theft with coordination between two or more persons is a third-degree felony regardless of value.

What are the consequences of a theft conviction in Florida?

Beyond jail time and fines, a theft conviction can result in driver's license suspension under section 812.0155, employment difficulties, loss of professional licenses, and immigration consequences. Adjudication withheld rates for theft are relatively high, which can mitigate some consequences.