In Florida, burglary can result in years of incarceration and a permanent felony conviction on your record. The charges you face may depend on the location of the alleged burglary and whether another person or a weapon was involved. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime, a West Palm Beach burglary lawyer can review the evidence against you, discuss potential penalties, and work toward protecting your rights and your future.
The Law Offices of Nellie L. King. is located on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Attorney Nellie L. King focuses her practice exclusively on criminal defense. Her legal practice covers the entire criminal justice journey for clients, from the investigative phase and preliminary filings through to trial and post-conviction proceedings. We understand burglary laws and can help you in your case.
Under Florida law, burglary is defined as “entering or remaining in a dwelling, a structure, or a conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter or remain.”
Related offenses include crimes such as:
A burglary offense does not only apply to the premises of a personal residence; it also applies to breaking and entering any buildings, vehicles, or other structures where you obtain unlawful entry with the intent to commit a crime. More examples include stores, garages, boats, and cars.
If you have been charged with any form of burglary, it may be in your interest to contact a burglary lawyer immediately. An experienced attorney like Nellie L. King can make all the difference in the results of your conviction. According to Neighborhood Scout, in a recent reported year, West Palm Beach experienced 389 burglaries, equaling a rate of 3.05 per 1,000 residents. This was higher than the national rate of 2.29.
Florida burglary statutes account for many variations of burglary based on the location where the alleged offense took place, whether another person was on the property, and whether or not the accused was armed. Unarmed burglary charges can become armed burglary charges based on these factors, and they can result in significantly different burglary penalties.
Under Florida Statute § 810.02, unlawfully entering an unoccupied structure or conveyance without being armed can lead to a third-degree burglary charge. This offense is generally a third-degree felony that could lead to up to 5 years in prison.
When a burglary involves a dwelling, occupied structure, or occupied conveyance, it typically constitutes a second-degree felony, provided no assault or battery occurred, and the perpetrator was unarmed. Second-degree felonies could lead to up to 15 years in prison.
Burglary can be charged as a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison when the accused was or became armed with explosives or a dangerous weapon during the course of the offense. Assault or battery also leads to the same level of burglary charge. If the prosecution alleges a weapon was involved in the offense, it can change the potential outcome of a case significantly.
An experienced West Palm Beach burglary attorney may review the specifics of the case to determine whether the prosecution can prove each element of the charge.
When you hire a burglary lawyer to represent you in Florida, your lawyer can determine whether the prosecutor has enough evidence to prove you committed burglary. Your attorney can also evaluate whether prosecutors have charged you with the appropriate degree of burglary. Getting an armed or occupied burglary reduced to a lesser offense can meaningfully reduce potential penalties you may encounter.
The Law Offices of Nellie L. King, P.A. has achieved significant results on behalf of our clients, including dropped charges, not-guilty jury verdicts, and even a successful motion to suppress evidence. Every case is different, and past successes cannot guarantee any particular outcome. Attorney King uses her criminal defense experience to guide clients through high-risk felony charges in West Palm Beach, FL
If you are accused of any type of burglary, theft, or trespassing crime, you could face a criminal conviction and possible jail or prison time, as well as damage to your reputation. Theft-related offenses are considered crimes of false statement, tarnishing your reputation and deterring prospective employers from offering you a job. A conviction for a theft-related offense also means you can be impeached by this type of criminal charge if you testify in court, for example.
Dependent on the circumstances of the allegations against you, you could face anywhere from 5 years to life in prison for a charge of armed burglary or burglary with an assault.
Burglary is a serious offense and is considered a felony in Florida. If you or someone you love has been arrested for burglary or a similar crime, you may need an experienced defense attorney on your side.
Speak Directly With an Experienced Defense Attorney
For the prosecution to prove the crime of burglary, they must demonstrate there was an intent to commit a crime within the property. Proving there was intent to commit a crime can be difficult and is often subjective. You could be falsely accused of burglary by simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Seeking an experienced burglary defense lawyer in West Palm Beach, FL can help challenge any false allegations against you from the prosecution. As a former public defender, Attorney King has the knowledge and experience to develop a personalized defense to protect your rights – and your reputation. Contact us today for a consultation.
319 Clematis Street
Suite 604
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
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“I highly recommend Nellie King and her team for anyone in need of an attorney to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system. Nellie and her staff bring extensive knowledge and experience, providing dedicated focus to each case. Their professionalism, expertise, and commitment to their clients make them an invaluable resource during challenging times.”
— Ernesto Cruz
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“I’m very grateful that I had Nellie in my corner. I can’t imagine my situation being resolved more positively for me. She cares about people. I believe it’s that simple. I will always be in her debt for what she did for me!”
— Paul Olekoski
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