Theft and Burglary Defense
A Results Oriented Law Firm

Lakeland Theft - Burglary Defense Attorney & Lawyer, providing professional Theft - Burglary Charge Defense and other Criminal Defense Services in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Polk County, Highlands County, and Hardee County Florida.

Theft and Burglary are often associated with each other, but are actually two separate crimes. Both crimes may be committed together, or committed without the other.

Theft is defined by Florida Statute 812.014 as when a person commits theft if he or she knowingly obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or to use, the property of another with intent to, either temporarily or permanently:

• Deprive the other person of a right to the property or a benefit from the property;

• Appropriate the property to his or her own use or to the use of any person not entitled to the use of the property.

Burglary is defined by Florida Statute 812.014 as when a person willfully and illegally enters a dwelling, a structure, or conveyance with the intent to commit an offense while therein.

Theft is often a crime that qualifies a charge of burglary instead of a simple trespassing charge. There are different classifications of theft in the State of Florida such as Grand Theft (value of $300.00 or greater) and Pettit Theft (value of less than $300.00). Shoplifting (depriving stores of merchandise) is a form of theft, commonly referred to as “retail theft”, which may be Pettit or Grand Theft depending on the value of the merchandise taken.

As a law firm providing experienced theft and burglary defense attorney & lawyer services assisting Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Polk County, and Highlands County Florida residents with criminal defense legal issues, we are committed to protecting the legal rights of each and every client, while always striving to provide the highest standard of legal representation.

If you require representation regarding a theft or burglary charge, make sure your legal rights are protected by seeking the legal advice of an experienced Lakeland theft and burglary defense attorney & lawyer. Contact McDonald & Shearer, P.A. at (863) 665-6895, or Toll Free (866) 274-6333 to schedule a confidential legal consultation.

Burglary offenses are typically committed when there are no potential victims or eye-witnesses present in the structure. When a firearm or other deadly weapon is used during the course of a burglary, the charge may be upgraded to aggravated burglary, which carried a much more severe sentencing guideline if convicted.

In addition to the inclusion of theft or a the use of a firearm, actions which may constitute a burglary charge instead of trespassing are vandalism, assault, battery, destruction of property, any form of fraud or extortion, arson, sexual crimes, criminal mischief, or other types of criminal offenses.

In order to be convicted of burglary it must first be proven that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of any crimes associated with the burglary. In other words, if you are not convicted of another crime, a guilty verdict for burglary cannot be given.

If charged with theft, burglary, or other criminal offenses, we urge you to find out what your legal rights and options are by seeking experienced legal counsel.

McDonald & Shearer, P.A. aggressively defends the legal rights of those charged with a theft or burglary crime in Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, Polk County, or the Highlands County Florida area.

McDonald & Shearer, P.A. provides you with an experienced Lakeland criminal defense attorney & lawyer. Contact McDonald & Shearer, P.A. at (863) 665-6895, or Toll Free (866) 274-6333 to schedule a free confidential legal consultation.