Being Charged with Auto Burglary is Serious.
Nov. 16, 2020
So, Auto Burglary? It's Actually "Burglary to a Conveyance."
Often at night when I'm browsing our local neighborhood groups or the NEXT DOOR app, I read about people having their cars broken into. Whether their car is locked or unlocked, almost daily cameras are catching alleged perpetrators breaking into vehicles. Many people do not know that auto burglary or "breaking into a car" has an actual legal name in Florida: "Burglary to a conveyance."
Under Florida Statute Section 810.02, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you “entered” the conveyance WITH the intent to commit a crime once inside, except when the conveyance was open to the public, or you were invited in.
In most cases, the crime that is “intended” to be committed once inside the car, truck, van, or SUV is “theft.” However, Florida law allows prosecutors to charge other types of criminal offense such as battery, criminal mischief, or assault.
What even IS a conveyance?
A conveyance is most often a motorized vehicle. However, in Florida, it can be so much more! It can be a ship, boat, vessel, railway car, airplane, seaplane, houseboat, or trailer.
What are the Penalties in Florida for Burglary to Conveyance?
Let's keep it simple. It's a THIRD DEGREE FELONY, which can get you a max of 5 years in the state pen and a $5K fine. Unless you plan on becoming a convicted felon and look forward to your days running your cell block, please contact an experienced criminal defense attorney if you or a loved one are charged with burglary of a conveyance. Panhandle Defense Firm will look at all the facts and will make a strategic decision so we can help you get the best possible outcome in your case. Based on the individual facts and circumstances of your case, there are a number of strategies that Attorney Tom McGuire, Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa County defense lawyer can utilize to assist.
The Facts in Your Case MATTER
The facts of each auto burglary case are different. There are many factors to consider. For example:
Are you likely to have left latent fingerprints on the vehicle?
Was your judgment impaired by any substance at the time of the alleged offense?
Why did you enter the conveyance? Was it save an animal or a child?
Did you actually enter the vehicle, or did you play a lesser role, often charged as the "accomplice?"
Was the vehicle unlocked, or was their forced entry? Did you know the owner and had you been invited in previously?
What kind of items were said to have been taken from the conveyance? Were they your own items that you went to retrieve? Were they sentimental non-replaceable nature? Were they expensive items? Or were they common items?
Have you been charged with Auto Burglary in the past?
An Experienced Auto Burglary Lawyer Is Here To Help
After looking at all the facts and data involved in your case, Panhandle Defense Firm and Attorney Tom McGuire will decide the best strategy to put you in the best position to lower or lessen your charges, or even fight them entirely.
If you have been charged with Burglary to a Conveyance in Northwest Florida, we can help you- TODAY! Call Attorney Tom McGuire of Panhandle Defense Firm NOW to get help with your Burglary of a Conveyance charge. Were here to help.