The Theft Ladder
Fla. Stat. 812.014 — $100, $750, and a third degree felony
In Florida, a person commits theft by knowingly obtaining or using, or trying to, the property of another with intent to deprive the owner of it or its benefit, or to appropriate it, temporarily or permanently.
| What was taken | The offense | The ordinary maximum |
|---|---|---|
| What was takenLess than $100 | The offensePetit theft, second degree misdemeanor | The ordinary maximum60 days and $500 |
| What was taken$100 or more, less than $750 | The offensePetit theft, first degree misdemeanor | The ordinary maximum1 year and $1,000 |
| What was taken$750 or more, less than $20,000, or a firearm or motor vehicle | The offenseGrand theft of the third degree, a felony | The ordinary maximum5 years and $5,000 |
| What was taken$20,000 or more, less than $100,000 | The offenseGrand theft of the second degree | The ordinary maximum15 years and $10,000 |
| What was taken$100,000 or more | The offenseGrand theft of the first degree | The ordinary maximum30 years and $10,000 |
Taking from a home moves the line down to $40. Property worth $40 or more but less than $750 taken from a dwelling or its unenclosed curtilage is grand theft of the third degree, and less than $40 so taken is petit theft of the first degree.
A petit theft after one prior theft conviction is a first degree misdemeanor, and after two or more, a third degree felony.
A merchant or officer with probable cause to believe a retail theft was committed may take the person into custody and detain them in a reasonable manner for a reasonable time to recover the property or for prosecution, and a merchant who does calls law enforcement to the scene immediately.
Sources for this section (4)
- Fla. Stat. 812.014 — Theft
- Fla. Stat. 775.082 — Penalties; applicability of sentencing structures
- Fla. Stat. 775.083 — Fines
- Fla. Stat. 812.015 — Retail and farm theft; transit fare evasion; mandatory fine; alternative punishment; detention and arrest; exemption from liability for false arrest
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.