Are you facing burglary charges in Fort Lauderdale, Florida? Michael D. Weinstein, P.A. is a Fort Lauderdale, Florida burglary lawyer that may be able to defend you. You are innocent until proven guilty, and there is a distinction between being charged with a crime and being convicted of a crime. If you are convicted, you could face jail time, fines, and other collateral consequences. However, the prosecution would first have to convince the jury that you committed a crime. If you are facing burglary charges in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you have the right to remain silent and have the right to ask to speak to an attorney if you have been arrested for burglary.

Burglary usually has two main elements: namely that a person illegally entered a building, structure, or home with the intent to commit a crime; both factors must be present—the intent to commit a crime and the illegal entry. A person doesn’t necessarily have to forcibly enter another person’s property to be charged with burglary. If a person walks through an open door, climbs through an open window, or enters another person’s property without permission to commit a crime, the person could face a burglary charge. Furthermore, if a person had permission to enter a home, but the permission had been revoked, this could also lead to felony charges. Burglary is a felony charge, but it can be a first degree felony, second degree felony, or third degree felony. First degree burglary charges can lead to life imprisonment, fines up to $10,000, and other collateral consequences. A second degree felony charge can lead to a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and fines up to $10,000. And a third degree felony charge can lead to a sentence up to five years in prison and fines up to $5000. The type of charges a person will face will depend on whether the person entered the property with a weapon, whether people were threatened with a weapon, and the value of property stolen or damaged.

If you are facing burglary charges in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, you may have many questions about your rights. Michael D. Weinstein, P.A. is a criminal defense law firm that works with individuals facing criminal charges. Our attorney may be able to help you. Burglary convictions can impact your reputation, your freedom, and can also have collateral consequences. With so much at stake, seeking the advice of a criminal defense lawyer is important.

Burglary Defenses

 There are several potential burglary defenses that may be available if you are facing these charges. Whether you can use these defenses will depend on the evidence gathered against you. Before taking a plea deal, you may want to speak to the criminal defense law firm at Michael D. Weinstein, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to learn more about your options.

  • Wrongfully Accused. Sometimes people are charged with robbery because of a case of mistaken identity. If a person claims to have seen you enter a property, or if a person claims you were the person who entered the property, prosecution may need to provide additional supporting evidence. Due to issues like racial profiling, and mistaken identification, sometimes people are wrongfully accused.
  • Permission was Granted to Enter the Property. If the property was open to the public, or if permission was granted to enter the property, then the charges of burglary may not stand up in court.
  • You Had No Intention to Commit a Crime. If you didn’t intend to commit a crime while inside the structure, charges of breaking and entering may not stand. If you didn’t actually steal anything while inside a building, you may be able to prove that you had no intention to steal.

These are just some of the potential defenses for burglary charges. Other defenses can include situations where a person was forced at gunpoint to be an accessory to a crime, or where a person was so intoxicated that he or she didn’t know what he or she was doing. If you are facing burglary charges, reach out to Michael D. Weinstein, P.A., a criminal defense law firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida today. Our firm may be able to defend your case.

Protect Your Rights Today

If you are facing burglary charges, you have the right to your day in court. Michael D. Weinstein, P.A. is a criminal defense law firm in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that may be able to assist you. Contact our attorneys today to learn more.