If you are accused of trespassing in St. Petersburg, FL., you will need to enlist the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer to help you with your case. Criminal trespassing is considered to be a very serious crime; it will most likely result in large fines, jail time, and a probation period. You will also receive a permanent criminal record. This can seriously affect your job prospects in the future.
Upon being accused of trespassing, it is easy to feel lost and alone. Rest assured that the attorneys at The Law Place are here to help. They are simply a phone call away. They will explain every step of your case to you and determine exactly what you are facing before ever setting foot in a courtroom.
Our attorneys have combined experience of over 75 years, and by working as a team, you can benefit from every second of it. Organize a free consultation for yourself today and find out what we can do for you.
Unfortunately, criminal trespassing is a very common occurrence in St. Petersburg, FL. It can occur in many different forms. The most common trespass is when an individual willfully enters a structure or conveyance without authorization or invitation. If you find yourself being charged with criminal trespassing, do not hesitate to contact us at The Law Place. A St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney is waiting to take your call.
Call us today at (941) 444-4444.
How Is Criminal Trespassing Defined in Florida?
As outlined in Florida Statute 810.08, criminal trespassing is defined as willfully entering or remaining on a property without the express or implied permission of the property owner.
Trespasses are split into two categories, as recognized by the State of Florida. Your charge will either be written as trespass in a structure or conveyance or trespass on property other than a structure or conveyance.
Trespass in a Structure or Conveyance in Florida
This form of trespassing occurs when a party willfully enters a structure or conveyance, such as a building or dwelling, without official authorization. This is then recognized by the State of Florida as trespass in a structure or conveyance. In addition to criminal trespasses of this nature, persons who were previously given permission to inhabit a structure or conveyance but fail to leave when instructed to do so and chose to remain on the property regardless of the instruction given by the property owner are trespassing.
Trespassing in a structure or conveyance is usually a second-degree misdemeanor. However, if the trespasser is in possession of a firearm and another party is present, it can quickly become a first-degree misdemeanor or even a third-degree felony.
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Trespassing on a Property Other Than a Structure or Conveyance
In the event that a person willfully remains or enters a property other than a structure or conveyance without official license, permission, or authorization, this is considered trespassing on a property other than a structure or conveyance in Florida.
Trespassing on a property in this manner can lead to a first-degree misdemeanor. If the person commits this trespass and is in possession of a firearm, the charge is escalated to a third-degree felony
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Types of Criminal Trespassing in St. Petersburg, FL.
In accordance with Florida Statute 810, trespassing can take many different forms. Here are a few of the most common:
- Entering another person’s property to interfere with business.
- Unlawfully occupying the property of another.
- Refusing to leave the property of another upon the owner’s request.
- Entering school premises without a legitimate reason to be there.
It is important to bear in mind that if you are caught trespassing with a firearm, you can face ungraded charges. Things become much more serious when a firearm is involved.
If you find yourself being charged with any of the above forms of trespassing, contact us immediately. Every criminal defense attorney at our law firm has a wealth of experience when it comes to trespassing offenses. They will work tirelessly to ensure you get the best result from your case.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers.
Penalties for Criminal Trespassing in St. Petersburg
In accordance with Florida Statute 775.082 and Florida Statute 775.083, the penalties for criminal trespassing in St. Petersburg are as follows.
- Second-degree misdemeanor – Maximum of 60 days in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $500.
- First-degree misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail and/ or a fine not exceeding $1000.
- Third-degree felony – Up to 5 years in jail and/or a fine not exceeding $5000.
If you find yourself facing any of the above charges, it is important to know that you have not yet been convicted. In some cases, individuals have a good reason for committing a trespass. With the help of a St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney, these reasons can be clearly articulated in court, and the charges may be dropped.
Remember, it is very important not to try and face these charges alone. Enlisting the help of a Florida defense attorney can really help you with your case.
What Must Be Proved in a Criminal Trespassing Case in Florida?
For the prosecution to prove criminal trespassing in the State of Florida, they must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the accused willfully entered the property they are accused of trespassing and were entirely aware they were trespassing. In simpler terms, they must prove the accused knew they were trespassing and committing a crime.
In some cases, the accused is under the impression they had permission to be or stay on the property, or perhaps they were not specifically told to leave. All facts will be taken into consideration by the court, and a reasonable explanation will be found for the situation.
At our law firm, we specialize in trespassing cases, a St. Petersburg criminal defense attorney from The Law Place will help you build a strong defense and do everything in our power to obtain a favorable outcome. Here are some of the defensive strategies a lawyer from our firm may use:
- A lack of proof of intent.
- No notice to vacate or stay away from the property
- An invitation to enter or remain on the property, even if only implied.
- The request to leave the property was withdrawn.
At our law firm, an experienced attorney will look over the facts of the case and get to the bottom of any charges brought against you. They will determine whether you are facing a first-degree or second-degree misdemeanor, or even a third-degree felony. You can feel safe in the knowledge that a knowledgeable attorney will be with you every step of the way.
Be Sure to Take Your Trespassing Charges Seriously
Trespassing may seem like a minor charge, and you may find it easy to ignore. This is simply not the case. You could be facing serious fines and considerable jail time. You must take your case seriously and accept responsibility for your actions. If you appear in court without the proper attitude, a judge and jury will not take you seriously, and your situation could become even worse.
Enlisting the help of a professional attorney can make all the difference in your case. The value of having proper representation is enormous. At our Florida based law firm, we offer only the best attorneys to assist you with your case. They will be available to contact at all hours of the day and will aid you in building a strong defense to fight the case.
That being said, if you do not seek the help of an experienced lawyer, you are likely to be charged with a misdemeanor offense or even a third-degree felony. This will go on your criminal record permanently, which can seriously harm your future prospects. Whenever you apply for a job or attempt to rent a property, your criminal record will be checked, and you may run into serious difficulties.
Defendants with the proper representation have a much higher chance of avoiding conviction. At our law firm, we strive to ensure that nothing goes on your record in order to protect your future.
How Much Will a Criminal Defense Lawyer Cost Me in Florida?
The cost of a criminal defense lawyer often varies depending on the severity of your case. Prices are also dependent on the skill of the lawyer. It is true that you get what you pay for when considering representation. For example, the cost of defending you against a second-degree misdemeanor will be less than a third-degree felony.
Here at our law firm, we strive for transparency with all of our costs. Upon contacting us, you will be offered a free consultation to discuss the validity of your case. Following this, we will arrange an in-depth interview, where we will explore the ins-and-outs of your case. We will also explain our fee structure once we have determined exactly what charges you are facing. You can feel safe in the knowledge that you will not receive any surprise bills, and an experienced attorney will be behind you every step of the way.
Contact The Law Place Today!
Have you been accused of trespassing? Do you believe that the charges are wrong? Please call us today. We have a great team of professional lawyers waiting to take your case. Do not feel the need to go it alone. Let us help you beat the charges brought against you.
If you go to court without the proper representation, then you could be facing charges up to a third-degree felony, depending on the details of your case. Your chances of beating the charges brought against you go up massively if you have an experienced lawyer on your side. Do not overlook the severity of your case, and call us today. We will give you all the information we can and build a solid defense for your case.
At our law firm, we specialize in the law surrounding criminal trespassing cases. We will utilize every tool available to us in an attempt to keep you from getting convicted. The Law Place holds your best interests at heart and will fight for you every step of the way.
Do not waste a second. Call The Law Place today on (941) 444-4444.
