In Tampa and the rest of Florida, burglary is a felony. Under Florida Statute 810.02, burglary is defined as entering or remaining in a building with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft crimes. Because it’s seen as such a serious crime, if you are convicted of burglary, you will likely face considerable penalties. This may include fines, probation, and even jail time.
The severity of the penalties you face means that you should contact a Tampa criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The lawyers at The Law Place will be able to navigate the complex legal system in Florida on your behalf and guide you through the legal process to minimize any stress for you. You can trust that our attorneys are more than capable of building you a solid and strong defense tailored specifically to your case. We will ensure that you receive the best outcome possible and fight against the prosecution with the aims of getting your charges dropped or reduced.
Our attorneys can offer you a free consultation to answer any queries you may have and go through the details of your case to give you specific and reliable legal advice even before you have committed to representation.
So, call The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Tampa criminal defense lawyer. Don’t waste time; call (941) 444-4444 now!
What Are the Different Kinds of Burglary Under Florida Law?
If you have been charged with burglary in a Tampa court, you will be tried for one of three different types. These different kinds of burglary charges are explained below:
- Burglary of a conveyance – This is where a person enters or damages a vehicle used for transportation, such as a car or a boat, with the intent to commit a crime, commonly theft crimes. Often, this refers to someone stealing the vehicle to attempt to sell it or just stealing something that was left inside of the vehicle.
- Burglary of a structure – In this case, a structure is a building that is not intended to be residential, such as convenience stores or gas stations. Breaking into a grocery store to steal the money out of the cash register would be classed as a burglary of a structure.
- Burglary of a dwelling – This is usually the most serious charge, and you will face more severe penalties if convicted of this. While a dwelling is still a building, it refers to a home or a residence that is owned by someone. As it’s arguably putting someone in more direct danger, this is seen as a second-degree felony. A typical example of this is if someone breaks into a house with the intent to steal items of value that are inside the property.
This is also all clearly stated in Florida Statute 810.02.
If you have been charged with burglary in Tampa, FL., then you need to call The Law Place immediately. Our criminal defense attorneys will be able to give you a professional opinion on your case and help guide and advise you throughout the entire legal process. Even if not, you can still schedule a free consultation with us, with no obligations, to support you and answer any questions you may have. So, contact us today!
What Is the Difference Between Burglary and a Robbery?
While burglary and robbery may seem like similar charges, they are actually very different.
Robbery is seen as a violent crime, and so is a more serious charge than burglary in Tampa, FL. This is because burglary is entering a building or vehicle without the owner’s knowledge or permission and with the intent to commit a crime. However, robbery is entering a building or vehicle with the intent to forcibly remove valuables. This can result in force and aggression towards anyone who happens to be on the property at the same time.
Although different charges, both charges carry serious penalties if convicted, and so you should get in touch with a law firm immediately to speak with a criminal defense lawyer if you have been charged with either robbery or burglary. Without help from one of our Tampa criminal defense attorneys at The Law Place, you will be more likely to be sentenced to the harshest penalties, so don’t hesitate! Contact us today to book a free consultation.
What Penalties Could I Face for Burglary in Tampa, FL?
If you are convicted of burglary in Tampa, FL., then you will face criminal charges. Burglary carries very severe penalties as it’s usually categorized as a second-degree felony, or even higher depending on the type of burglary that was committed and the circumstances surrounding the case.
In most cases, someone convicted of burglary will be sentenced to a fine and/or probation or a jail sentence. The exact details of the penalties, such as the fine’s amount and length of probation or jail time, is up to the judge’s discretion. Because there are no exact guidelines, it is crucial that you contact a criminal defense attorney to represent you in court.
Listed below are the penalties that you face for each different kind of burglary charge:
- Burglary of conveyance – A fine of up to $5,000 and prison time or probation of up to 5 years.
- Burglary of a structure – A fine of up to $5,000 and prison time or probation of up to 5 years.
- Burglary of a dwelling – A fine of up to $10,000 and prison time or probation of up to 15 years.
A burglary charge on your criminal record is also likely to impact you in the long term, as it will remain on there for the rest of your life. Employers in Tampa and all over Florida can check out a potential employee’s criminal record before employing them and often do so. They are also well within their rights to choose not to hire you because of your criminal record. You may also find it creates difficulty if you ever try to apply for college, further education, and/or scholarships, loans, overdrafts and mortgages, licenses, and more.
Whether you are facing a fine of $5,000, a jail sentence of 15 years, or anything in between, you need to contact a law firm for legal help. By enlisting in the help of the criminal defense attorneys at The Law Place, you’ll reduce the likelihood of you being found guilty and sentenced to the maximum penalties. Our lawyers are well versed in criminal law and will fight tirelessly to get the charges dropped or reduced or for you to receive lesser penalties, regardless of the circumstances. So, if you are being charged with burglary in Tampa, FL., it would be in your best interest to contact The Law Place today to schedule a free consultation and speak to one of our attorneys.
What Can The Law Place Do for Me in Tampa, FL?
When facing criminal charges in Tampa, FL., people can often find themselves under huge amounts of stress and anxiety, and working with an experienced criminal defense lawyer, like the ones at The Law Place, could help tremendously.
Our criminal defense attorneys will assess your case closely and find any flaws in the prosecution’s argument. There are many ways that a lawyer would be able to defend you, and they will be sure to ask important questions regarding your case, including:
- If law enforcement had a warrant or you consented to a search for the stolen goods.
- If there are any gaps in the evidence that the prosecution is using.
- If there are any irregularities, mistakes, or if any of your rights were violated during the process.
- If your fingerprints were found at the crime scene.
- If the circumstantial evidence against you can be disproven.
You can trust that if there are any weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument, our Tampa lawyers will find them and exploit them on your behalf.
Call The Law Place Today
If you have been accused of burglary in Tampa, FL., then you should call The Law Place now. A felony conviction could potentially leave you in debt and imprisoned, and away from your family for years. Even after you get through this, you may still face hardships impossible to overcome for the rest of your life, all stemming from this one conviction.
Therefore, it is crucial that you call our law firm. Our criminal defense attorneys will make it much more likely that you win your case and get the best outcome possible. The Law Place boasts a combined 75 years of experience in dealing with criminal law and the Florida legal system, and we have dealt with cases just like yours. By working with us, you’ll be ensuring that an experienced and skilled Tampa-based lawyer looks over your case, builds a strong defense, and fights on your behalf.
So, contact us now to schedule a free consultation. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call The Law Place at (941) 444-4444.