Florida Criminal Attorney Blog
According to a recent research, Miami Beach, a prominent tourist attraction that draws millions of visitors each year to its magnificent beaches, leads the state of Florida in property theft.
Researchers at SafeHome.org used crime data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Data Explorer to assemble the most recent statistics and trends in property and violent crime in the United States.
According to FBI data from 2022, Miami Beach had a property crime rate of 8,557 incidents per 100,000 people. As the report notes, the city’s crime rates are far lower now than they were in the 1970s and 1980s during the peak of drug trafficking and violence.
By contrast, Florida has a property crime rate of 1,566 per 100,000 residents, which is approximately 400 points lower than the national rate of 1,954 per 100,000. In terms of property crime, Florida ranks 36th nationally.
Sneads, in Jackson County, Florida, has the lowest property crime rate (229 per 100,000 residents) of any city in the state.
What is Property Crime?
Property theft includes larceny, theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. Burglary is defined as the unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a crime. Larceny is the most common kind of property crime since it is defined more broadly as the unlawful taking of another person’s property. Auto theft affects vehicles such as cars, SUVs, and motorcycles.
The value of the item that was taken or damaged will typically determine the penalties imposed for these offenses, but in certain situations, the location of where the alleged crime occurred may also have an impact on the seriousness of the charges.
In Florida, larceny accounts for most property theft cases—roughly 1,255 per 100,000 individuals.
What Types of Offenses Fall Under The Category of Property Crime?
Theft can refer to a wide range of offenses, including fraud, retail theft, vandalism, etc. Retail theft (also known as shoplifting) is defined as taking products from a store, manipulating price tags, or paying less than the item’s listed price. Property destruction may result in charges of vandalism or arson. If property is taken using force or the threat of violence, robbery charges may be applicable. Burglary is defined as entering a building or home with the intention of committing a crime.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Charges Related to Property Crime?
The short answer is yes. In every case, a criminal defense lawyer can assist you in determining the appropriate defense strategy for criminal charges. Even if you plan to enter a guilty plea, your lawyer can work out a plea deal with the prosecution. In certain situations, this can result in the charges being dropped, or you could be spared jail time for a lesser sentence like community service or probation.
Do I Need to Tell My Lawyer Everything?
You have nothing to gain by lying to your lawyer. All the details surrounding your arrest, the crime you are accused of, and your actual actions must be disclosed to your attorney. Because of your attorney/client privilege, anything you say with your lawyer will be kept strictly confidential, so you will not have to worry about telling them something that could be used against you. When your lawyer is informed about everything, they can help you weigh all your options and pinpoint the best course of action with the least number of consequences.
If you need a criminal defense lawyer in South Florida for a property crime/theft-related offense, our Miami-Dade County Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can help. Call us today at 866-608-5529 or contact us online for a FREE consultation.