Florida Theft Charges
Florida grades theft by the value of what was taken (§ 812.014). Under $100 is a second-degree misdemeanor; $100 to under $750 is petit theft, a first-degree misdemeanor; $750 to under $20,000 is grand theft in the third degree (a felony); and the grade climbs to first-degree grand theft at $100,000 and up. The $750 petit/grand line was raised from $300 effective Oct. 1, 2019. Confirm current dollar tiers.
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice, and Florida’s theft dollar tiers are set by statute and can be amended — confirm the current numbers against § 812.014 and talk to a Florida attorney.
In Florida, how a theft charge is graded depends almost entirely on the value of what was taken (§ 812.014).
The value tiers
- Under $100 — second-degree misdemeanor.
- $100 to under $750 — petit theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.
- $750 to under $20,000 — grand theft, third degree (a felony).
- $20,000 to under $100,000 — grand theft, second degree.
- $100,000 or more — grand theft, first degree.
The $750 line
The key dividing line between petit theft (misdemeanor) and grand theft (felony) is $750. That threshold was raised from $300 effective October 1, 2019, so older references may still list the lower figure. Because these dollar amounts are set by statute and can change, treat the tiers as confirm-current and check § 812.014.
Why the grade matters
The difference between a misdemeanor and a felony shapes everything that follows — which court hears the case, the maximum penalty, and the long-term consequences of a conviction.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- What's the difference between petit theft and grand theft in Florida?
- Value (§ 812.014). Petit theft covers lower-value takings (a misdemeanor), while grand theft starts at $750 and is a felony. The exact grade rises as the value increases.
- At what dollar amount does Florida theft become a felony?
- $750. Taking property worth $750 to under $20,000 is grand theft in the third degree, a felony (§ 812.014). This $750 line was raised from $300 effective October 1, 2019 — confirm current tiers.
- How are higher-value thefts graded in Florida?
- $20,000 to under $100,000 is second-degree grand theft, and $100,000 or more is first-degree grand theft (§ 812.014). Confirm the current dollar tiers against the statute.
Sources
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