If you face charges of burglary or robbery, you face life-altering potential consequences. You may face the loss of your freedom as well as other collateral consequences, like the loss of connection with your family, trouble finding employment in the future or a decent place to live.

The best way to avoid these consequences is to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney. At the Orlando law firm of Moses and Rooth Attorneys at Law, our attorneys are former prosecutors who use in-depth knowledge of Florida criminal law to help people facing robbery charges protect their rights and their freedom.

Burglary Charges

The crime of burglary can be charged when an offender enters or remains in a building with the intent to commit a crime inside. In certain circumstances, defenses to burglary may include the fact that the building was open to the public or that you were licensed or invited to enter.

Burglary is a felony. Depending on the circumstances of the crime, it may be charged as a felony of the first degree, second degree or third degree. Punishment may include imprisonment for a term of years — including life in prison.

Robbery Charges

Under Florida law, robbery refers to the use of force to take money or property in another person’s custody, with the intent to take it away either permanently or temporarily. In order for the crime to be considered robbery, the use of force must be present.

Robbery is one of 18 Florida felonies subject to gun penalty enhancement. This means that offenders convicted of robberies where firearms were used face increased penalties. They could face long prison sentences — including life sentences — depending on the circumstances of their individual cases.