Every year, people across the country lose millions of dollars worth of property to criminal acts; thus, punishments are quite harsh to try to deter these crimes. Here’s a look at the different types of property crimes as well as the penalties associated with them in Florida.
Types of property crimes in Florida
• Burglary – This is the entering of a dwelling or structure with the intent to commit an offense. It’s important to note that you don’t have to commit the crime for the court to consider it burglary; just entering a place illegally with the intent of committing some sort of wrongdoing is enough to warrant a charge.
• Robbery – Robbery involves taking personal property from another person by force or threat of violence. Punishment for robbery will depend on the value of the item that the accused allegedly took and the type of weapon they used.
• Theft – Theft is stealing something that belongs to someone else without using any physical force against them during the act itself, such as pick-pocketing. Also, using someone else’s property without their permission and with the intent to temporarily or permanently deprive them of that item qualifies as theft.
• Vandalism – Vandalism is the malicious damage or destruction of property. For example, the placement of graffiti on someone’s property or any other acts of mischief.
Penalties for property crimes in Florida
Burglary is the most serious property crime in Florida. Any crime that qualifies as burglary is a felony, and punishment varies depending on its nature. For instance, first-degree burglary, which involves assaulting a person using a dangerous weapon and causing over $1000 in property damage, can lead to up to life in prison plus fines. Second-degree burglary can lead to up to 15 years in prison and $10,000 in fines, and third-degree burglary can result in five years in prison with fines up to $5,000.
Depending on the details of the crime, robbery, theft and vandalism can also become a felony or misdemeanor. Before you head to court, it’s important to know how the law applies to your charges.
It’s crucial to remember that just because you didn’t use force or violence doesn’t mean you won’t face serious penalties if convicted. The court takes into account many different details before deciding on the outcome of your case.