Burglary Charges and Penalties

Burglary, as defined under Florida law, is entering someone’s property with the intent to commit a crime. Having intent is what distinguishes burglary from lesser crimes. If there is no intent to commit a crime, the offender may be given the less severe charge of trespassing.

You may be charged with burglary even if you were just trespassing if a witness, such as the property owner, claims that you were there to steal something, vandalize, or otherwise commit a crime. However, a lawyer can help protect you from wrongful charges. He or she will scrutinize all of the details of your case to look for positive evidence to help your defense. For help with your burglary case, contact the experienced West Palm Beach criminal attorney, Eric N. Klein today at 561-353-2800.

Burglary Charges

An arrest for burglary is usually made in combination with other charges, such as vandalism, battery, assault, or possession or use of a weapon. Having multiple charges results in a more severe sentence if you are convicted. It is likely that with such charges, the police have some evidence to convict you of burglary and other crimes you may have committed. However, some evidence could be faulty.

For example, testimony from witnesses could be incorrect if you were mistaken for another individual, or perhaps some evidence was obtained without following proper procedures. Such evidence can be discounted and thrown out of court. It is these kinds of weaknesses that a good lawyer will look for to defend your case.

Burglary Penalties

The penalties you face for burglary depend on the severity of the case, such as whether or not a weapon was used. Burglary is classified as a felony in the state of Florida and can be punishable by a range of penalties, from probation to life in prison. Some of the penalties you may face if convicted of burglary include:

• Prison sentence
• State jail sentence
• Probation
• Monetary fines
• Restitution
• Community service

Contact Us

Burglary charges can be especially serious when combined with other charges. Don’t go into a courtroom without the proper defense. The aggressive, experienced criminal defense lawyers at Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. can help protect your rights in a court of law. Contact us today at 561-353-2800.