Source: https://criminaldefenseattorneytampa.com/theft-crimes/burglary/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 16:31:35+00:00

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An arrest for burglary might occur even if little evidence exists to support that accusation other than the possession of the recently stolen items. In these cases, an aggressive defense is needed to show a lack of evidence exists for a successful prosecution.
The penalties for burglary crimes depend on the type of property entered, whether any assault or battery occurred during the offense, and whether the person who entered was armed or unarmed.
The statute of limitations comes into play in many burglary cases, although Section 775.15 now contains a tolling provision for burglary cases where the defendant’s identity is discovered through a DNA match.
This article discusses the statutory elements of the crime, the jury instructions, and potential defenses that might apply to your case.
The first twenty-one (21) days after the arrest are critical because it is during that time period that the prosecutors with the State Attorney’s Office decide whether or not to file charges.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for the criminal offense of burglary or armed burglary of a dwelling, then contact an experienced criminal defense attorney in Tampa, Hillsborough County, FL, at the Sammis Law Firm.
Although burglary charges are serious, important defenses exist to fight the charges. We represent both juveniles and adults charged with burglary.
We fight theft crimes aggressively by filing motions to suppress evidence illegally seized by the police or motions to dismiss the charges for insufficient evidence. In some cases, an office might arrest a suspect found in possession of items recently stolen during a burglary.
in an area that is not open to the public.
The fact that the defendant was in possession of recently stolen property, unless satisfactorily explained, can be used as evidence to support a conviction of burglary if the circumstances of the burglary and of the possession of the stolen property convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the burglary.
Under the Florida Burglary statutes, the term “dwelling” is defined as a building that people used as a shelter, lodging or home. The dwelling includes the porch of the home and any buildings attached to it such as a garage. A dwelling can include a mobile home, RV, or tent.
Pursuant to § 810.011(2), Fla. Stat., the term “dwelling” means a building or conveyance of any kind, including any attached porch, whether such building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night, together with the enclosed space of ground and outbuildings immediately surrounding it. Keep in mind that the standard jury instructions provide that the enclosure need not be continuous as it may have an ungated opening for entering and exiting. For purposes of this crime, a “dwelling” includes an attached garage. See Dubose v. State, 210 So. 3d 641 (Fla. 2017).
A “structure” is any building that has a roof and floor and includes the buildings attached to it such as a garage. A “conveyance” most commonly refers to a car, truck or other motor vehicle, but it can also include an airplane, vessel or boat (anything used to transport people from one location to another).
Charges for armed burglary of a dwelling are the most serious while charges for an unarmed burglary of a conveyance are the least serious.
The jury instructions for a burglary offense provide that the jury may infer that the defendant had the intent to commit a crime inside the structure or conveyance if he entered in a manner that was stealthily and without the consent of the owner or occupant.
In order to enter, the defendant’s entire body does not have to go inside of the structure, dwelling or conveyance, instead it is sufficient if any part of his body goes inside, including a hand.
The intent to commit a crime therein looks at the operations of the defendant’s mind which is not always capable of direct and positive proof. Therefore, the prosecutor is allowed to attempt to establish evidence of intent by the use of circumstantial evidence.
Burglary to a conveyance or burglary to an unoccupied structure is a third-degree felony which is punishable by up to five (5) years in Florida State Prison. This form of burglary is the most common type of burglary crime charged in the State of Florida.
810.06 3rd degree – Burglary; possession of tools.
The offense is enhanced to a second-degree felony, which is punishable by up to fifteen (15) years in Florida State Prison, if at the time of the commission of the burglary, the dwelling, structure of conveyance is occupied.
810.02(3)(c) 2nd degree – Burglary of an occupied structure; unarmed; no assault or battery.
810.02(3)(e) 2nd degree – Burglary of authorized emergency vehicle.
causes damage to the dwelling or structure or property inside in excess of $1,000.00.
Burglary of a dwelling with an assault or battery is a first-degree felony which is punishable by life in prison. The offense is a level 8 offense which requires a minimum of 74 points on the criminal punishment code scoresheet.
810.02(2)(c) 1st degree – Burglary of a dwelling or structure causing structural damage or $1,000 or more property damage.
810.02(2)(b) 1st degree – Punishable by Life, Burglary; armed with explosives or dangerous weapon.
In other words, burglary is a felony of the first degree, punishable by imprisonment for a term of years not exceeding life imprisonment, if, in the course of committing the offense, the offender makes an assault or battery upon any person. § 810.02(2)(a), Fla. Stat.
making an assault or battery upon any person with a dangerous weapon.
In addition to the burglary charge, a person can be charged with impairing or impeading telephone or power transmission to a dwelling, which can be charged as a felony of the third degree, which is punishable by up to five years in Florida State Prison.
damaged a line or wire that transmitted power or telephone service to a dwelling.
The Defendant did the act for the purpose of facilitating or furthering the attempted commission or commission of a burglary of that dwelling.
The definition of burgary is defined in instruction 13.1 and the definition of attempt is defined in instruction 5.1.
Pursuant to § 810.011, Fla. Stat., the term “impaired” means to be diminished, damaged, or weakened. The term “impeded” means to slow something down or prevent an activity from making progress at its previous rate. The term “facilitate” means to help or assist, or to make something possible or easier.
The standard jury instructions for impairing or impeading telephone or power to a dwelling to facilitate or further a burglary pursuant to § 810.061, Fla. Stat., are found in Chapter 13.21 of Florida’s Standard Jury Instructions. The standard jury instructions for this offense were adopted in 2007 [953 So. 2d 495] and amended in 2018.
According to the 2017 Crime in Florida Report Abstract, 88,778 UCR burglary offenses were reported. The Florida UCR program identified 16,463 people arrested arrests for burglary in Florida that same year.
Out of those arrested for burglary, 4,059 were juveniles and 12,404 were adults. For 2017, 31,411 residential burglaries occurred during the day, 14,804 residential burglaries occurred at night, and 16,837 residential burglaries occurred at an unknown time.
Florida Statute Section 810.02 – Visit the website of the Florida legislature to find the statutory language for Section 810.02, Florida Statute, including the elements of the offense, the different penalties for burglary, and the definitions of terms used in the statutory scheme.
FDLE’s Definition of Burglary – Visit the FDLE website to find the Florida Uniform Crime Reports program (UCR) definition of burglary as the “unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or a theft” including the “attempted forcible entry.” Keep in mind that a burglary from a conveyance or within the curtilage is counted as Larceny by UCR definition. Find information on Florida burglary statute in Section 810.02 and prohibitions in impairing telephone or power to a dwelling to facilitate a burglary under Section 810.061.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for the serious offense of burglary, contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case. At the Sammis Law Firm, we understand the serious penalties that accompany a burglary charge.
We also represent clients for the related offense of possession of burglary tools under § 810.06, Fla. Stat., which requires proof that the defendant (1) intended to commit a burglary or trespass, (2) had in his possession a tool or implement that he intended to use, or allow to be used, in the commission of the burglary or trespass, and (3) did some overt act toward the commission of a burglary or trespass.
We represent clients charged with burglary in Tampa in Hillsborough County, FL, and the surrounding areas of St. Petersburg and Clearwater in Pinellas County, New Port Richey and Dade City in Pasco County, Winter Haven and Bartow in Polk County, and Brooksville in Hernando County.
Call us today at (813) 250-0500 to discuss possible defenses to the charges and ways to fight the charges.
This article was last updated by Jason D. Sammis on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.

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