Burglary, under Florida Statute 810.02, can be defined as entering or remaining inside a building with the intention to commit a crime. In Punta Gorda, as in the rest of Florida, burglary is a felony. Because of how serious it is considered as a crime, it is likely that a person convicted of burglary could face penalties such as probation, fines, and even jail time.
If you or a loved one are facing burglary charges or are under investigation for burglary, this could lead to serious penalties, as well as other far-reaching effects such as difficulty finding a job or renting housing with a criminal record. For this reason, it is recommended that you find a Punta Gorda criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
A criminal defense attorney can guide you through the whole legal process, giving support and legal advice specialized to your case as well as building you a strong defense. Our firm puts the attorney-client relationship at the forefront, and with over 75 years of combined legal experience, you can be sure that you are in safe hands. If you decide to work with one of our attorneys, they will work tirelessly to fight for the best possible outcome for your case. This could mean reducing or even getting the charges against you dropped.
Contact our team today for a free case consultation with one of our defense lawyers. This will provide you with no-obligation legal advice, and the attorney will be able to go through the specifics of your case, recommended next steps, and answer any questions you might have.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so don’t hesitate, call The Law Place today. We monitor our phone lines 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, so call now at (941) 444-4444 for free legal advice.
Different Types of Burglary in Punta Gorda, Florida
Under Florida law, burglary is when a person illegally enters a structure or building that they do not own or have permission to enter, with the intent to commit a crime while inside. Burglary is often associated with the theft of goods once the trespassing has occurred, but this is not always the case.
There are three types of burglary that a person can be charged with in Punta Gorda, FL., under Florida Statute 810.02. These are:
- Burglary of a structure – This includes entering a building that is not intended to be residential, such as a gas station or convenience store, with the intention to carry out a crime. An example of this would be breaking into a store to steal money from out of the cash register.
- Burglary of a dwelling – Similar to burglary of a structure, but this involves entering with intent to commit a crime in a home or residence owned by someone other than you. As this type of burglary is likely to put the victim in more direct danger, this crime is considered to be the most serious of the burglary types.
- Burglary of a conveyance – This occurs when a person enters or damages a vehicle used for transportation with the intention of committing a crime such as theft. This could be, for example, entering a car or boat with the intention to steal it or to steal something from inside the vehicle.
The above types of burglary are considered second-degree felony crimes. However, they can all be upgraded to a first-degree felony if:
- The perpetrator committed battery or assault on one or more persons.
- The perpetrator was armed with an explosive or dangerous weapon.
- The perpetrator caused more than $1,000 in damage to the conveyance, structure, or dwelling.
- A car was used to commit a crime as more than a getaway vehicle.
If you think you might be facing charges for one of these types of burglary crimes, it is essential that you get in contact with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Call The Law Place today for some free legal advice from one of our lawyers. They will be able to give you specialized advice and can guide you on the next steps to give you the best chance of a positive outcome. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with no obligations so that we can answer any questions you might have.
What Are the Penalties for Burglary in Punta Gorda, Florida?
In Florida, the majority of burglary cases are charged as third or second-degree felonies, with associated penalties. However, some more severe burglary cases (for example involving a weapon or where battery occurred) could be charged as a first-degree felony.
Third-Degree Burglary
- A fine of up to $5,000.
- Probation for up to 5 years.
- A prison sentence of up to 5 years.
Second-Degree Burglary
- A fine of up to $10,000.
- Probation for up to 15 years.
- A prison sentence of up to 15 years.
First-Degree Burglary
- A fine of up to $10,000.
- Probation for up to the remainder of the perpetrator’s life.
- A prison sentence of up to 30 years.
A full list of possible punishments for any given type of burglary is listed under Florida Statutes 775.082, 775.083, and 775.084.
If you have been arrested or charged with burglary, contact one of our criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible for legal advice. With the right legal representation and a strong defense case, you give yourself the best chance of reducing or even dropping the charges against you.
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What Is the Burden of Proof for a Burglary Charge in Punta Gorda, FL?
In any given burglary case, the prosecution will be required to present evidence of some kind. The evidence presented will vary greatly depending on the specifics of the crime. Some common forms of evidence that can be used against defendants of burglary charges include:
- Police arrest records.
- Eye witness statements.
- CCTV footage.
- Burglary tools.
- Physical evidence such as fingerprints or hair left behind, or items from the burgled property found in the suspect’s possession.
Prosecutors may use the above evidence or various other types of evidence in a burglary case. If you believe there to be evidence against you regarding your burglary charge, the best thing you can do is to contact a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Your attorney will build a defense strategy for you according to the specifics of your case to give you the best chance of a positive outcome in court. Contact The Law Place today for a free case evaluation and to discuss how we can help you.
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What Is the Difference Between Robbery and Burglary?
At first glance, robbery and burglary may seem to be similar charges. However, they have important differences. Robbery can be defined as entering a building or vehicle with the intention of forcibly removing valuables in order to steal them. Burglary, on the other hand, involves entering a building or vehicle with the intention to commit a crime without the owner’s knowledge or permission.
Robbery is a violent crime and so is considered a more serious crime than burglary in Punta Gorda, FL. This is because robbery, unlike burglary, often leads to interactions with inhabitants of the building or people who happen to be inside, which can lead to harm and aggression while the crime is being committed.
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What Is the Difference Between Trespassing and Burglary?
Both trespassing and burglary involve illegally entering a structure, dwelling, or convenience without permission or authorization. The key difference lies in burglary, which also includes the intent to commit a crime after illegally entering.
Under Floria Statute 810.09, trespassing is typically a misdemeanor crime. However, the crime can be upgraded to a felony in certain severe cases. If you have been charged with trespassing in Punta Gorda, Florida, this is also a serious offense and requires the help of a qualified criminal defense lawyer. Contact The Law Place today for a free case consultation.
What Can a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do for Me?
Here at The Law Place, we know how stressful it can be to face criminal charges. We are here to help and support you through the entire process. All you need to do is contact us today for a free consultation. With no obligation, one of our criminal defense attorneys will go through the specifics of your case with you, answer your queries and determine how they might go about building your defense.
If you decide to work with us, we will be clear about the fees from the offset so that there are no nasty surprises later on, and we also offer payment plans to ensure that our services are available to everyone. The attorney assigned to your case will be by your side for the entire legal process and will use years of accumulated experience and knowledge on Florida criminal law and felony burglary charges to fight your corner and build a strong defense for your case.
Contact The Law Place
If you or someone you know is under investigation or facing criminal charges for burglary, the best thing you can do is to find legal representation. Our criminal defense lawyers will work as a team to build a defense strategy for your specific case, and your individually assigned defense attorney will be your point of contact and support throughout the legal process. Contact The Law Place today to find out how we can help defend you from a burglary felony charge.
For no-obligation legal advice from an experienced criminal defense attorney, call us now. Our phone lines are monitored 24hrs a day, 7 days a week, so call now on (941) 444-4444 to schedule a free case consultation.
