Concealing Identity During a Crime

When committing a crime, an offender sometimes tries to hide his or her identity by concealing the face with a mask, hood, or other garment. This is a common tactic used during bank and store robberies and burglaries. Purposely concealing your identity during a crime can lead to elevated charges if you are arrested. If you have been charged with committing a crime while wearing a mask or hood, contact the West Palm Beach criminal defense lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800 to discuss your case.

Criminal Charges

Concealing your face during the commission of a crime is illegal and can cause the prosecution to raise the severity of the charges brought against you. For any criminal act, the charge may be raised by one degree if the offender’s face was concealed during the commission of the crime. For example, if you have been charged with a third-degree felony offense and are accused of wearing a mask or hood during the criminal act, your charge will be elevated to a second-degree felony offense.

Penalties

An elevated criminal charge can have a major impact on the severity of the penalties you face if you are convicted. In the case of a first-degree misdemeanor charge elevated to a third-degree felony, it is the difference between being classified as a petty criminal and being branded a felon. The simple act of concealing your face could lead to an increased sentence of 10 or more years in prison if you are convicted of a second- or first-degree felony. It is therefore important to speak with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to assist you with your criminal defense.

Contact Us

Don’t enter the courtroom feeling unprepared to defend your case. To learn more about how we can help you fight your criminal charges and defend your rights, contact the West Palm Beach criminal attorneys of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.