Miami Property Crime Attorneys

Property crimes are offenses that involve the taking or destruction or someone else's property without that person's consent, including shoplifting, theft, burglary, robbery, fraud, arson, and criminal mischief, among others.

Property crimes differ from violent crimes such as assault or battery in that the latter involve the threat of force or the use of actual force in the commission of a crime. Both property crimes and violent crimes are detailed under Title XLVI of the Florida Statutes and may be charged as either a misdemeanor or a more serious felony. A conviction for a property crime may result in a jail or prison sentence, expensive fines, an order to pay restitution, a permanent criminal record, and other penalties, such as probation or community service.

If you or your loved one are facing charges for property crimes in Florida, contact Hubbs Law Firm right away. Our Miami property crimes attorneys have extensive experience in all aspects of state criminal defense and can help you create a personalized legal strategy aimed at protecting your rights.

Call us at (305) 570-4802 or contact us online for a free consultation. After-hours appointments are available. 

Types of Property Crime Cases We Handle

Property crimes involve the taking or destruction of property, and the charges that may result range widely in severity under the law.

The value of the property involved often determines the severity of the charges filed. Some crimes, such as shoplifting or petit theft, are classified as misdemeanors, while others—such as grand theft, arson or carjacking—are classified as felonies, which are much more serious violations of the law.

Property crimes that are common in Florida and Miami-Dade County are detailed under various chapters of the Florida Statutes, Title XLVI (Crimes), including:

• F.S. Chapter 806 — Arson and Criminal Mischief
• F.S. Chapter 810 — Burglary and Trespassing
• F.S. Chapter 812 — Theft, Robbery and Related Crimes
• F.S. Chapter 815 — Computer-Related Crimes
• F.S. Chapter 817 — Fraudulent Practices

At Hubbs Law Firm, we represent clients accused of all types of property crimes, including but not limited to:

Florida Penalties for Property Crimes

Many laws related to property crimes exist in Florida, and the possible penalties often depend on the type of crime and the value of the property in question.

The maximum punishments for each offense classification (listed in order of severity) are:

• Second-Degree Misdemeanor – Punishable by up to 60 days in jail and fine of up to $500
• First-Degree Misdemeanor – Punishable by up to one year in jail and fine of up to $1,000
• Third-Degree Felony – Punishable by up to five years in prison and fine of up to $5,000
• Second-Degree Felony – Punishable by up to 15 years in prison and fine of up to $10,000
• First-Degree Felony – Punishable by up to 30 years in prison and fine of up to $10,000

If you are uncertain as to which classification your alleged crime falls under, contact a competent criminal defense attorney at Hubbs Law Firm. A knowledgeable Miami property crimes lawyer at our firm will be able to specify the charges you face and the potential penalties, as well as particular defenses that may apply in your case. We can also advise you if there is an outstanding warrant for you due to allegations of a property crime.

Request a Free Consultation Today

If you were arrested for a property crime in Miami or anywhere else in Miami-Dade County, you should consult with our attorneys before you talk to the police or any other law enforcement agency.

Our founding attorney, E.J. Hubbs, is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar. Only lawyers who demonstrate competency and experience within an area of law and professionalism and ethics in practice are designated as Board Certified attorneys by the Bar.

At Hubbs Law Firm, we defend people accused of property crimes throughout the Miami area, including Miami-Dade County, Miami, Hialeah, Miami Gardens, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Homestead, or any of the other cities and communities within Miami-Dade County.

Contact Hubbs Law today to schedule an appointment with our knowledgeable attorneys. We can explain the charges you face and the penalties that may result from a conviction, as well as possible defenses that may be available. Your initial consultation is free.

Contact us online or call (305) 570-4802 to request your complimentary consultation today. 

Additional Resources

• Florida Statutes, Title XLVI — Crimes – Read the Florida laws related to all types of crimes, including property crimes.
• Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) — Property Crimes – The FDLE, Florida's state law enforcement agency, tracked certain crimes, including property crimes, over a 20-year span from 1994-2014. The FDLE website, which includes burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft as property crimes, details a marked decrease of 40.2 percent in the number of property crimes committed and a 57.4 percent drop in the rate of property crimes relative to Florida's population during the two-decade period, according to data compiled by the Florida Statistical Analysis Center (FSAC).
• FBI Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) — Property Crimes – The FBI's UCR program classifies property crimes as burglary, larceny, theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. Find information about property crimes in the U.S., categorized by the offense or geographic location, along with two dozen data tables. A summary of the information, compiled by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reveals that more than 9 million of these types of property crimes occurred in 2010, a 9.3 percent drop since 2006. Larceny and theft accounted for more than two-thirds (68.1 percent) of all property crimes, while burglary accounted for nearly one quarter (23.8 percent), and motor vehicle thefts accounted for 8.1 percent of the total. Property crimes in 2010 resulted in losses of an estimated $15.7 billion, an average of $1,738.86 per property crime.
• National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) – A survey of U.S. households by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) shows property crime statistics for certain property crimes, including burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. Crimes against businesses are not included, although crimes against other household members or crimes not reported to law enforcement are included.