Verified by Licensed Bail Bond Professionals•Last updated: March 2026
Definition: The fraudulent taking of property or money by a person to whom it was entrusted. In Florida, embezzlement is charged under the general theft statute, with penalties based on the amount stolen.
Category: Criminal Offenses · Statute: F.S. 812.014 · Source: Florida Legislature
Embezzlement Charges by Amount
- Under $100 — 2nd degree misdemeanor (petit theft)
- $100-$749 — 1st degree misdemeanor
- $750-$19,999 — 3rd degree felony (grand theft)
- $20,000-$99,999 — 2nd degree felony
- $100,000+ — 1st degree felony
Bail
Bail ranges from $500 (petit theft) to $100,000+ (large-scale embezzlement). White-collar cases often allow bail because defendants are not considered violent threats.