West Palm Beach Burglary Lawyer
No matter what the evidence against you may look like, hope is not lost. If you have been charged with a burglary offense, contact a skilled West Palm Beach burglary defense attorney immediately to set up a free initial consultation and discuss the facts of your case.
My name is William Wallshein, and I have 38 years of experience in the criminal justice system, having worked both as a prosecutor for 5 years and later as a defense attorney. I have defended the rights of those accused of all kinds of crimes, including burglary involving residential, commercial, and other properties. No matter what the circumstances of your arrest or the charges against you are, you are constitutionally entitled to a quality defense. This might mean trying to suppress physical evidence or eyewitness identification in those cases where the police did not follow the proper procedures. In other cases it may mean putting on a strong case of mitigation to lessen the severity of the charge and resulting sentence.
Whatever the situation, as a dedicated and passionate South Florida criminal defense attorney, I will absolutely dedicate myself to your case and work tirelessly to ensure you receive the defense you are entitled to.
What is Burglary?
In Florida, burglary is often misunderstood and sometimes confused with other crimes, such as robbery. But in fact, while burglary and robbery can be similar, they are not necessarily related at all. At its core burglary has two elements:
- Breaking into (or even entering) a building;
- With the intent to commit a crime once inside.
Under the laws of Florida, there need not be an actual crime committed once inside the residence.
Depending on what the intended crime was, whether it was actually committed or only attempted, and whether there were people inside the building, a burglary may be a first, second, or third-degree felony.
Punishments for Burglary in Florida
In general, burglary is taken very seriously by both the prosecutors and the courts. The type of burglary dictates what the range of punishment will be:
- First-degree felony: Up to 30 years in prison
- Second-degree felony: Up to 15 years in prison
- Third-degree felony: Up to 5 years in prison
These ranges, however, are only estimates. In some severe cases, a burglary conviction can result in a life sentence. In other cases that involve prior convictions, there may be mandatory minimum sentences. To determine what kind of sentence you may be facing if convicted, it is best to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Contact a West Palm Beach Burglary Defense Attorney
If you have been charged with burglary in Florida, you need to ensure that you have a dedicated legal representative by your side.
Contact William Wallshein, an effective and experienced West Palm Beach criminal defense attorney who routinely handles burglary charges. Having served as a state prosecutor for 5 years, I know how law enforcement deals with burglary cases. I will work diligently and thoroughly to provide you with a strong defense. Click here, or call 561-533-1221 to schedule a free initial consultation at either my West Palm Beach office or in West Palm Beach. I accept credit cards.
