Florida legislature has enacted varying degrees of theft charges with different maximum penalties.

Under the Florida Fingerprint Requirement, anyone found guilty of a theft crime (even petit theft or shoplifting) is required to have their fingerprints taken in court. The judge is required to affix a written judgment to the file which then becomes a public record. A conviction for any crime of dishonesty can be used against you when you apply for a job, during a background check, or if you ever testify in a court of law.

Even if you are not convicted, your name can go into a national database used by employers when they conduct background checks. Moreover, prior convictions for theft can increase the sentence if you are caught re-offending. In certain types of cases, any subsequent charges can be enhanced based on a prior conviction.