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PETIT THEFT (F.S. § 812.014(2)(f))
DEFERRED PROSECUTION
Escambia County, FL
January 14, 2026
Client was charged in Escambia County with Petit Theft (F.S. § 812.014(2)(f)), a second-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 60 days in the county jail and up to a $500 fine. While the charge itself carried relatively modest direct penalties, a theft conviction in Florida creates uniquely damaging collateral consequences. Theft is classified as a crime of dishonesty, making it particularly harmful in employment screening — many employers automatically disqualify applicants with theft convictions. A theft conviction can also affect professional licensing applications, security clearances, and housing applications. For this client, who was [REDACTED] and had [REDACTED], the prospect of carrying a permanent theft conviction was unacceptable.
The defense team negotiated a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the State Attorney's Office, which avoids the entry of any plea and allows the client to complete reasonable conditions — including [REDACTED] — after which the charge is dismissed entirely. A DPA is distinct from and superior to Pretrial Intervention in that no plea is ever entered, providing the cleanest possible resolution and preserving full eligibility to seal or expunge the record. Upon successful completion of the DPA conditions, the Petit Theft charge was dismissed, leaving the client with no conviction and a clear path to expunging the arrest from their record entirely. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes; each case depends on its facts and circumstances.