Maybe to you, Burglary, Robbery and Theft are the same thing. Legally, they are different. Although they are often used interchangeably, because they all involve the unauthorized taking of someone’s personal property, they are all very different crimes. If you, or someone you love, has been arrested for theft, robbery, or burglary you will need the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Here’s a little background on each and why they are unique:

Theft Charges

Theft is the most basic of all three crimes and occurs when someone takes someone else’s property without the consent of the owner and with the intention to permanently deprive the owner of its use or possession. It’s also sometimes called larceny, petty theft, or grand theft. Theft involves taking a tangible item so you can’t be convicted of theft if you try to take someone else’s land, for example (even though other criminal charges would apply). Theft usually involves money, physical goods or any other physical object you can move or transport.

Robbery Charges

Robbery is essentially theft accomplished through the use of physical force or fear. Robbery is a violent crime, but that doesn’t meant the victim has to suffer any type of injury. It’s enough to commit a robbery if you any type of force, including just a threat of violence. For example, forcing a person at gunpoint to give you their purse or wallet would be considered a robbery.

Burglary Charges

Burglary is committed if you enter into any structure with the intent to commit a crime inside. For purposes of burglary law, a structure includes nonresidential buildings, natural formations, and residential dwellings. One can commit a burglary even if the only force used is to open the door, and you can be convicted of burglary even if you don’t completely enter into a structure. For example, opening a window and stealing something off a ledge with just your arm still counts as burglary.

Alexander Truluck focuses his practice as a criminal defense attorney in Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Dunedin and the Tampa Bay area.

For more information, visit our website at http://www.criminallawyerclearwaterflorida.com
or call (727) 799-3550.