Have you or a loved one been charged with burglary in Jacksonville, FL? Don’t worry, you have landed in the right place, Smith & Eulo’s criminal defense lawyers have over 100 years of combined experience successfully litigating burglary cases in Jacksonville, FL, Duval, Clay County, and all adjacent areas. Give us a call today for a free consultation. A Burglary charge is not something that should be taken lightly, having a criminal record can be a serious roadblock on anyone’s future.
What is considered Burglary?
According to the 2020 Florida Statutes, burglary is defined as entering a residence or establishment to commit an offense, unless the person in question has been invited, the establishment is open to the public, or the person is licensed to enter said establishment. Additionally, if the person has stayed passed the open hours of an establishment closing, or if the person has been asked to leave and doesn’t with the intent to commit an offense.
Burglary in the State of Florida is punishable by jail time, depending on the severity of the offense, but not exceeding life imprisonment, if there is no death involved, then the maximum prison sentence could be up to 30 years. There are also fines involved that can go up to $10, 000.
There are different degrees of burglary felonies:
First Degree Burglary Felony: In addition to entering the residence or establishment the person also:
- Commits assault or battery on another person
- Becomes armed while inside the establishment/residence
- Causes any sort of damage exceeding $1,000
Second-Degree Burglary Felony: Enters the residence or establishment while another person is inside, but the offender does not:
- Commit assault or battery on another person
- Become armed with a weapon or explosive
Third Degree Burglary Felony: Enter the residence or establishment while there is NOT another person inside and:
- Does not commit assault or battery
- Does not become armed with weapons or explosives
If you need legal representation in Jacksonville, FL for a burglary charge or any other criminal offense, don’t hesitate to contact us today. Our lawyers are ready to listen to your side of the story and craft a strategy that is suited to your situation.
If you or your loved one find themselves in a situation where you are being accused of burglary? Call us right away at 904-714-4405 to speak with a qualified legal professional or fill out the contact form on this page. We’re available 24/7, we offer free initial consultation and payment plans. In addition to our Jacksonville office, we have offices in the following cities across the state of Florida:
- Daytona Beach
- Kissimmee
- Melbourne
- Ocala
- Clearwater
- Orlando
- Fort Myers
- Sanford
- Miami
- Lakeland
- Fort Lauderdale
- Sarasota
- Tampa
*Additional Orlando Florida & Orange County Legal Resources