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PETIT THEFT — SECOND DEGREE (F.S. § 812.014(3)(a))
PRETRIAL DIVERSION (PTD)
Escambia County, FL
8 de abril de 2026
Client was charged in Escambia County with Petit Theft — Second Degree, First Offense (F.S. § 812.014(3)(a)), a second-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 60 days in the county jail and up to a $500 fine. While the direct sentencing exposure was modest, theft is a crime of dishonesty under Florida law, which means a conviction surfaces in every future background check and is treated more harshly than nearly any other misdemeanor by employers, landlords, professional licensing boards, and immigration authorities. Many employers — particularly in retail, finance, healthcare, and government — automatically disqualify applicants with any theft-related conviction. The client — [REDACTED] — needed to avoid a permanent theft record that would foreclose employment, housing, and professional licensing opportunities for the rest of their life.
The defense team reviewed the State's evidence, including the law enforcement narrative and the available body-worn camera and commercial surveillance footage, and identified issues that supported a favorable diversion offer. We secured a Pretrial Diversion (PTD) referral from the State Attorney's Office, with the special condition of completing an anti-theft course. We worked with the client to satisfy the diversion preconditions efficiently and presented the resolution to the court on the earliest available motion day. The PTD pathway allowed the client to resolve the case with no plea, no conviction, no jail time, and no probation. Upon successful completion of the diversion program, the State Attorney's Office will dismiss the charge entirely, and the client will be eligible to seal or expunge the arrest record under Florida law. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case depends on its facts and circumstances.