Home About Me Criminal Defense DUI Defense Resources and LawsInvocation of Rights Card Blog Videos Contact

Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property in Florida

Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers - not in Florida.

In Florida, if a person finds lost or abandoned property they are required to report the finding to law enforcement.

This law applies equally to obviously valuable items such as lap tops and electronic devices, as well as to less obviously valuable items such as hubcaps and bicycles.

The failure to report the finding of the lost or abandoned property to law enforcement, or return the property when asked, is considered theft.

Penalties for Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property

The penalties for the crime of Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property are determined by the value of the property found.

Grand Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property

If the property is worth less than $300, the crime is considered Petit Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property and is punished as a charge of Petit Theft.

Petit Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property

If the property is worth more than $300, the crime is considered Grand Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property and is punished as a charge of Grand Theft.

Defenses to Theft of Lost or Abandoned Property

Other than alleging a false accusation, there are three primary defenses to the crime of Theft:

1. Lawfully Claimed Property
2. Valueless Property

Lawfully Claimed Property

Under Florida's Lost or Abandoned property statute, a person who finds lost or abandoned property must report it to law enforcement and deposit with law enforcement a reasonable sum sufficient to cover the agency's cost for transportation, storage, and publication of notice. If this procedure is followed and no claim is made, the person is given rightful ownership of the property - even if the previous owner comes forward after the fact.

Valueless Property

Simply put, it is impossible to steal trash. This is because Florida law only criminalizes the stealing of "property." Property is defined as "anything of value" and the Value is defined as "the market value of property at the time and place of the offense or, if such cannot be satisfactorily ascertained, the cost of replacement of the property within a reasonable time after the offense." Thus if someone places something by the road, it has become trash that presumably has no value.

---

The material on this page represents general legal advice. Since the law is continually changing, some of the provisions contained here may be out of date. It is always best to consult a criminal defense attorney about your legal rights and responsibilities regarding your particular case.

The hiring of a Florida criminal lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice or the formation of a criminal defense lawyer / client relationship.

Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Charley Demosthenous

If you have been arrested or charged with a crime, please contact Tampa Criminal Defense Attorney Charley Demosthenous today. The sooner you contact me, the sooner I can establish a defense on your behalf.

The initial consultation is free of charge and I will inform you of possible defense strategies and/or remedies. I am available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (813) 857-8237

Serving all of the Tampa Bay Area and Throughout Florida.

Free Invocation of Rights Cards
Know Your Rights!

---

William S. Foley, P.A.
Divorce and Family Law

---