Grand Theft Auto In Florida

My friend was recently arrested and charged for grand theft of a motor vehicle. She was NOT the driver but she was a passenger of the car. So why is she charged with "Grand Theft Motor Vehicle" and not something like an accomplice or conspirator?

My other question is regarding the setting of where they were arrested. They found this car in the school parking lot with the keys inside of it (yeah they notified the owner after the arrest and I dont think he is going to press charges). Because the kids were students and arrested on the school grounds, can the case be moved from it being prosecuted in the state to being prosecuted through the school? Is that even beneficial if it is possible?:confused:

She was an accomplice to the crime and as such gets charged with the same offense.

It is not up to the owner of the car as to whether or not he wants them charged. It is up to the District attorney.

This is a serious charge and they both need a criminal defense attorney.

You can read about Florida theft and the potential punishments here.

can a charge like this be reduced to a misdemeanor if this is the perons first crime? what are the chances of her facing jail time? Can a case like this be expunged from her records? :confused:

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Quoting Cookie9000

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can a charge like this be reduced to a misdemeanor if this is the perons first crime? what are the chances of her facing jail time? Can a case like this be expunged from her records? :confused:

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These are all excellant questions for her attorney.

She should write down all her questions, so when she has a meeting with the attorney they can be addressed.

"There is no joy in joyriding." - I remember that poster when I was a kid.

If she is under 18 then she will likely have some therapy, some jail, fines, and restitution to the vehicle owner. ...and that type of agreement is only one that can be crafted by an attorney. Technically someone could do it "pro se", but you know what they say. An attorney representing himself/herself has a fool for a client. Even lawyers get a lawyer to represent themselves.

The attorney can also talk to the prosecutor about keeping the case as part of the juvenile record (many times young adults at 16 and 17 get tried as adults).

If she goes to get a government job, this will haunt her. Fortunately the military will still take her.