Burglary / Robbery

St. Petersburg Burglary Defense Attorney

The Morris Law Firm can help and has specific knowledge and experience in Burglary / Robbery defense. Melinda Morris, managing partner of The Morris Law Firm, was a State Attorney, and was responsible for prosecuting a range of very serious Burglary / Robbery Offenses from investigation through trial. As well, Ms. Morris received special training on prosecuting Burglary / Robbery cases from the State of Florida. This inside knowledge is of critical importance and can benefit the defense of your case.

A Burglary as defined in Chapter 810 of the Florida Statutes is:

1. Entering 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
2. Notwithstanding a licensed or invited entry, remaining in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance:
   1. Surreptitiously, with the intent to commit an offense therein;
   2. After permission to remain therein has been withdrawn, with the intent to commit an offense therein; or
   3. To commit or attempt to commit a forcible felony, as defined in s. 776.08.

A Robbery as defined in Chapter 812 of the Florida Statutes means:

The taking of money or other property which may be the subject of larceny from the person or custody of another, with intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person or the owner of the money or other property, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear.

You have a very narrow window of time between when you are arrested and when the State Attorney's office makes a decision to file a criminal charge against you. Hiring an attorney immediately to negotiate on your behalf gives you the best chance of avoiding criminal charges.

Act now to consult with a crimnial defense attorney and find out how to best protect your rights and future opportunities. Burglary / Robbery consequences can be far reaching, including but not limited to: significant incarceration time; probation; negatively affecting your employment, military, or academic status; ineligibility to have your record sealed; and a possible lifetime ban on your right to own a firearm.

You May:

• Face jail or prison time
• Face probation and/or community control
• Face fines
• Be required to pay restitution
• Be required to attend substance-abuse treatment
• Be subject to random drug testing
• Be required to perform community service
• Have your employment or military service status negatively affected
• Have a permanent criminal record

Potential Defenses include:

• Failure to Read Miranda Warnings
• Illegal Search or Seizure
• Lack of Intent
• Alibi
• Mistaken Identity

Auto Burglary

Auto Burglary is a 3rd degree felony criminal offense punishable by up to 5 years. Out of all burglary crime, Auto Burglary is the least severe; however prosecutors aggressively responded to this form of burglary by mandating restitutions for damages to the vehicle and missing property.

Burglary of an Unoccupied Residence

Burglary of an Unoccupied Residence is a 2nd degree felony criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison. This offense encompasses the illicit entry into unoccupied homes intending to to commit a crime inside. The intended crime is not required to consist of theft; vandalizing of property is considered criminal mischief and will be charged as burglary. Entering a residence without theft or vandalizing of property is considered trespassing.

Burglary of an Occupied Residence

Burglary of an Occupied Residence is a 2nd degree felony criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years. This offense is very server because the alleged burglary crime occurred while residents were home. Florida’s State Attorney's Office will typically pursue prison time against any offender alleged of Burglary of an Occupied Residence.

Commercial Burglary

Commercial Burglary is a serious 3rd degree felony criminal offense. Structure burglaries are typically "business burglaries." This may involve the breaking and entering into a commercial business that has shut down for the day. These forms of crimes can often have enraged alleged victims demanding a great amount of dollars in restitution. This usually influences the State Attorney's judgment on how to proceed with the case.

Armed Burglary

Armed Burglary is a 1st degree felony criminal offense punishable by up to life in prison. Armed burglary means that the suspect entered a home or even a car intending to commit a crime inside and in the course of the crime, the alleged either was armed or came to be armed. Armed burglary succeeds for a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years under Florida's 10-20-Life law. Armed Burglary offenses occurring with a firearm will result in the offender being held without bond until an attorney sets a special bond hearing.

Strong Arm Robbery

Strong-arm robbery is a term used to define a situation where the criminal used any degree of force to complete the act. Strong-arm robbery is technically a term used to describing a crime of "Robbery by sudden snatching."

§812.131 - Robbery by sudden snatching

1."Robbery by sudden snatching" means the taking of money or other property from the victim's person, with intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the victim or the owner of the money or other property, when, in the course of the taking, the victim was or became aware of the taking. In order to satisfy this definition, it is not necessary to show that:

a. The offender used any amount of force beyond that effort necessary to obtain possession of the money or other property; or

b. There was any resistance offered by the victim to the offender or that there was injury to the victim's person.

Armed Robbery

Armed robbery is the charge of a robbery while carrying, brandishing or using a weapon. The existence of this weapon increases significant consequences to the potential punishments if an offender is convicted.

Morris Law Firm | Defending Robbery & Burglary Crimes

The Morris Law firm is dedicated to defending Burglary/Robbery offenses in Pinellas County and the entire Tampa Bay Area (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Hillsborough, Pasco, Manatee, Sarasota, Polk).