Boca Raton Burglary Lawyer

Navigating burglary charges can be tricky, especially without legal help. You might be facing serious penalties, including fines and prison time. When you are arrested for a theft crime like burglary, it is crucial to get in touch with a knowledgeable attorney as soon as you are able. Our expert Boca Raton burglary lawyers at Rossen Law Firm have extensive experience handling cases like yours and know how to build a strong defense on your behalf.

Understanding The State’s Definition of Burglary

Florida Statutes § 810.02 explains burglary as entering a vehicle or building, including a home, to commit an offense. This does not include premises on which the defendant has a right to be, unless:

• The defendant entered with the intent of committing a crime
• Permission to be on the property was withdrawn
• The defendant entered with the intent of committing a “forcible felony”

Under Fla. Stat. § 776.08, a “forcible felony” includes murder, sexual battery, assault, and any other felony that is violent or uses threat or force against a person. An experienced Boca Raton attorney can provide more information on what qualifies as burglary under state law.

A Burglary Conviction Carries Serious Penalties

The least serious burglary charge is a third-degree felony in which the accused does not use violence, is not armed, and the building or vehicle is unoccupied. If you are convicted for a third-degree felony, the presiding judge could send you to prison for up to five years, fine you as much as $5,000, or both.

Even if you do not commit a violent act and are unarmed, the prosecutor can charge you with a second-degree felony by alleging any of the following:

• You entered someone’s home
• The building or vehicle you entered was occupied
• The building or vehicle you entered was unoccupied, and the intended crime involved stealing a controlled substance
• The vehicle you entered was an emergency vehicle

Second-degree felonies are punished by up to 15 years in prison, as much as a $10,000 fine, or both.

First-degree felony burglary involves a weapon, violence against another person, and the use of a vehicle to cause damage, or causing damage in excess of $1,000. The premises entered must be a home or other building. A conviction is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000, or both. While these penalties are severe, they are not inevitable. A tenacious Boca Raton burglary attorney can work towards a reduced fine or sentence and could even be able to get a charge dropped in some cases.

Defenses to Burglary Charges

You have a constitutional right to an attorney who will defend you. At Rossen Law Firm, we skillfully craft a defense that refutes the elements of the prosecutor’s case. There are many defenses to a burglary charge; maybe you were given permission to be in the building, or a witness was mistaken. The arrest may have been tainted by police errors. An arrest is not the end, and a dedicated attorney is ready to fight from beginning to end of your case.

Schedule Your Free Strategy Session With A Boca Raton Burglary Attorney

Law enforcement does not take burglary charges lightly. Even without a prior criminal record, you could be facing years behind bars. We are here to help turn this situation around.

You deserve a bright future without one mistake weighing you down. To learn more about what our expert Boca Raton burglary lawyers can do for you, contact our office today. We are ready to get to work for you.