Your Defense Against Burglary Charges in Orlando
Like theft charges, the crime of burglary reflects on a person's honesty. If you are convicted of burglary, the charge will follow you throughout your life, making it difficult to find a good job.
At The Bigney Law Firm in Orlando, Florida, our lawyers are dedicated to keeping your record as clean as possible if you have been charged with burglary. We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case and explore defenses.
What is Burglary?
In Florida, the crime of burglary is entering into or remaining in a home, business, structure or conveyance with the intention of committing a crime therein. Burglary is often paired with theft charges when someone is accused of taking something from a car, a residence or a business.
Burglary of a residence is a second-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. If you are convicted of Burglary of a Dwelling, your criminal punishment scoresheet will suggest that you go to prison, even if this is your first offense. Burglary of a vehicle or a structure is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison. When charged in combination with assault or battery, or when causing more than $1,000 in damages, the burglary is enhanced to a first degree felony, punishable by life in prison.
Defenses in Burglary Cases
In order to obtain a conviction for a Burglary charge, the State must show that the suspect intended to commit a crime once inside the dwelling or structure. Absent evidence of that intent, the charges can be reduced to simple trespass.
Another defense to Burglary is consent. If you had permission to be in the home that you are accused of burglarizing or if you had a lawful right to be there, or if you had permission to take what you are accused of stealing, you will likely prevail in court.
Free Case Evaluation
If you face burglary charges, your best defense is to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. To schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney at the Bigney Law Firm, call 407-792-2923 any time of the day or night or fill out our contact form. For your convenience, our office is located in downtown Orlando, Florida, one block behind the courthouse. Se habla Español.