J. M. v. State

J.M., a child, was found guilty of grand theft of a goped. The trial court withheld adjudication of delinquency and placed him on probation. J.M. appeals, contending that the court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal on the grand theft charge because the state failed to establish that the value of the stolen goped exceeded $300.00. Section 812.014(2)(c)l, Florida Statutes. We agree and reverse.

At trial, the only evidence introduced by the state concerning the value of the stolen goped was the owner’s testimony that he paid between .$315 and $320 for the vehicle when he…