The terms theft, robbery, and burglary are often used interchangeably. However, legally speaking, these words do not mean the same thing or reference the same type of crime. Being charged with robbery can lead to significantly different penalties and consequences than a burglary charge. How do you know the difference, and who can defend you against these significant criminal charges?
At AllStarr Legal,, we want to help unravel the differences between theft, robbery, and burglary. When you understand the difference between these terms, you can better understand how to build a strategic defense plan that gives you the best chance of obtaining a favorable outcome for your legal situation.
What Are the Differences?
Are there significant differences between theft, robbery, and burglary? The answer is yes. There are distinct legal differences between these crimes, even though most people consider these crimes to exclusively be about taking property that legally belongs to someone else.
Florida law defines theft as a crime that occurs when someone knowingly obtains or uses property legally belonging to another person. To prove theft, a prosecutor must demonstrate that an individual purposely obtained someone else’s property with the intent to deprive that person of their belongings permanently.
The penalties for theft vary depending on the value of the stolen property. Petit theft charges typically involve stolen property valued at up to $299. However, grand theft charges can encompass property valued anywhere between $300 and $100,000 or more. The higher the property value, the more significant the changes ranging from a 3rd-degree to a 1st-degree felony.
Theft charges may also be elevated when the theft involves the use of a firearm or a motor vehicle to carry out the crime. Enhanced penalties can also be levied in cases where an individual causes more than $1,000 in property damage. Criminal penalties for theft can include fines from $500 to $10,000 and up to 30 years in prison.
Robbery is not the same as theft. Florida law states that robbery is the taking of money or other property from someone by force, violence, or assault. Removing a watch from someone’s pocket and using it as your own may be theft. However, pointing a gun at a store clerk and demanding cash would be considered robbery. Robbery charges can vary depending on the circumstances of the situation. Robbery committed without a deadly weapon is a 2nd-degree felony and can net a person up to 15 years in prison. Robbery with a deadly weapon is a 1st-degree felony offense and can result in up to life in prison.
Burglary is a property crime, not a crime against an individual. Florida defines burglary as the unlawful entry into a building, dwelling, structure, or conveyance, such as a car, with the intent to commit a crime. Proving burglary means a prosecutor must demonstrate that an individual entered a property without permission with the express purpose of doing something illegal.
As with other criminal offenses, burglary charges and penalties are fact-specific. Entering a dwelling with criminal intent can be a 3rd-degree felony punishable by fines up to $5,000 and imprisonment of up to five years. However, committing burglary can rise to a 1st-degree felony when an individual enters a building armed with a dangerous weapon, assaults an individual, or causes property damage to a building above $1,000. A 1st-degree felony burglary conviction can lead to up to $10,000 in fines and life in prison.
Contact an Experienced Altamonte Springs Criminal Defense Attorney Now
A theft, robbery, or burglary conviction can change your life, making securing a job, finding housing, and obtaining financial stability challenging. Do not attempt to navigate the Florida criminal justice system on your own. You need the help an experienced and resourceful Altamonte Springs criminal defense attorney from AllStarr Legal, can provide.
Contact our office right away to arrange a confidential legal consultation about your defense.
