Most people charged with Dealing in Stolen Property in Fort Walton Beach are shocked when they learn how serious this felony charge is.
Despite how serious the allegation is, it is important to remember one critical fact: At this point, you have only been accused of committing the crime of Dealing in Stolen Property. You have not been convicted. Making the right decisions now could make all the difference in how your case ultimately turns out. To learn more about what you can do to make the correct choices, contact the Fort Walton Beach dealing in stolen property defense lawyers of Flaherty & Merrifield at (850) 243-6097 for a free consultation.
Dealing in Stolen Property under Florida law
Dealing in Stolen Property in Fort Walton Beach or anywhere in Florida will be prosecuted under Florida Statute 812.019. This statute states that someone will be guilty of Dealing In Stolen Property if they traffic in, or endeavor to traffic in, property that he or she knows or should know was stolen.
What is the penalty for Dealing in Stolen Property?
This is the part that shocks people. Dealing in Stolen Property is a second degree felony punishable by 15 years in prison and a $10,000.00 fine.
If the prosecutor feels he or she can prove that your actions were part of a criminal conspiracy, you could be charged with an enhancement of the Dealing in Stolen Property statute which raises the maximum penalty from 15 to 30 years in prison.
What are the defenses to Dealing in Stolen Property?
In every case we defend, we look to identify legal issues that could lead to a reduction in the charge or an outright dismissal. We will do whatever it takes to secure the best possible result through extensive research, negotiation, and trial preparation.
From a legal standpoint, the most common defense centers around the language in the statute that requires the State to prove that the suspect knew or should have known that the property was stolen. If the prosecutor can’t prove that the suspect knew the property was stolen, or that the circumstances made it obvious the property was stolen, we will have a very good chance of winning your case.
Have You Been Arrested For a Robbery in Florida?
If you've been arrested for robbery or theft in Fort Walton Beach, call Flaherty & Merrifield at (850) 243-6097 for a free, confidential case review.
