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Burglary Defense Attorney Serving Bartow, Lakeland, and Central Florida
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Lakeland Burglary Defense Lawyer - Criminal Law
Experienced Burglary Defense attorney providing Criminal Law Legal Services in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, Polk County, and the greater Central Florida area.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule a Free Consultation with burglary defense lawyer, Robert A. Norgard.
Facing a burglary charge in Central Florida is an incredibly serious matter that can instantly put your future, your livelihood, and your personal freedom at risk. Unlike a simple theft or trespass charge, the State of Florida treats burglary as a severe violent or high-stakes property crime. A conviction can result in decades—or even a lifetime—inside a state prison.
When facing felony charges of this magnitude, you cannot afford to leave your defense to chance or rely on the leniency of the court. At the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard, located in Bartow, Florida, we understand the immense stress you are under, and we provide the aggressive, trial-tested criminal defense representation you need.
We proudly defend clients against burglary allegations throughout Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, and all surrounding communities across Polk County and Central Florida.
Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
Burglary investigations are frequently complex, involving a mix of circumstantial evidence, forensics, and subjective interpretations of a defendant's state of mind. Successfully defeating these charges requires a defense attorney who knows how to aggressively deconstruct the prosecution's case.
Elite Courtroom Leadership: Attorney Robert A. Norgard has been defending individuals accused of serious crimes for more than 40 years. He has been Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 1995.
Board certification is an elite distinction held by fewer than 1% of practicing lawyers in Florida, identifying Mr. Norgard as an absolute specialist in criminal trial law. Having navigated well over 200 criminal jury trials, including over 100 homicide cases, he commands deep respect throughout the Central Florida legal community. Mr. Norgard uses this unparalleled courtroom experience to protect your constitutional rights and expose the critical flaws in the state's evidence.
About Burglary Crimes in the State of Florida
Under Florida Statute § 810.02, Burglary is structurally defined as entering or remaining in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance without permission, with the intent to commit an offense therein (most commonly a theft or other felony).
The law breaks down property types into three distinct definitions:
- Conveyance: Any motor vehicle, trailer, vessel, or railroad car.
- Structure: Any building of any kind, temporary or permanent, which has a roof over it.
- Dwelling: A building or conveyance of any kind which has a roof over it and is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein at night (a home, apartment, or occupied hotel room).
Every form of burglary in Florida is classified as a felony. The severity of the charge and the corresponding statutory penalties escalate dramatically based on the type of property, whether a person was present inside, and what allegedly occurred during the entry:
Third-Degree Felony Burglary
This is charged if the defendant enters an unoccupied structure or an unoccupied conveyance (such as an unlocked parked vehicle or a closed, empty commercial warehouse). Potential Penalties: Up to 5 years in state prison, 5 years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.
Second-Degree Felony Burglary
The charge rises to a second-degree felony if the defendant enters an occupied structure or occupied conveyance (meaning someone was inside at the time), or enters an unoccupied dwelling (a residential home, even if the owners are away). Potential Penalties: Up to 15 years in state prison, 15 years of probation, and a $10,000 fine.
First-Degree Felony Burglary
This is the most severe tier of burglary under Florida law. It is charged if, during the course of the burglary, the defendant commits an assault or battery upon any person, or becomes armed within the property with a dangerous weapon or firearm. Potential Penalties: Punishable by up to life imprisonment. Armed burglary and burglary with an assault or battery are classified as high-severity offenses that carry severe scoresheet points under Florida's Criminal Punishment Code, making prison time highly likely without an expert defense.
The Prosecution
To secure a burglary conviction in a Florida courtroom, the State Attorney's Office must eliminate all reasonable doubt regarding two core elements:
- Unlawful Entry or Remaining: You entered or remained on the property without lawful invitation or explicit permission.
- Criminal Intent: You possessed the specific intent to commit a crime at the exact moment you crossed the threshold or chose to remain.
The most difficult element for a prosecutor to prove is your internal intent. Because intent is a state of mind, prosecutors must rely heavily on circumstantial evidence. If a skilled defense attorney can introduce reasonable doubt showing that you did not intend to commit a crime inside the property, you cannot be legally convicted of burglary.
Defense of Burglary Charges in Florida
We conduct a meticulous review of all evidence in your case—including police bodycam footage, surveillance videos, witness statements, and forensic reports—to build a customized, powerful defense. Common strategies include:
- Lack of Intent: Demonstrating that you had no intention of committing a crime upon entry. For example, if you entered a structure looking for emergency shelter from a storm, were highly intoxicated and confused about your surroundings, or entered a business that you reasonably believed was open to the general public.
- Lawful Entry or Consent: Proving that you had an implicit or explicit invitation to enter the property, or that you possessed a mistaken but honest belief that you had permission from the owner to be there.
- Challenging Identity and Forensic Evidence: Scrutinizing the reliability of eyewitness identifications, contesting the legality of searches and seizures that uncovered alleged stolen property, and exposing flaws or cross-contamination in fingerprint or DNA evidence.
- Negotiation & Diversion Pathways: For eligible individuals with minimal prior history, we leverage the evidentiary weaknesses of the state's case to negotiate for reduced charges (such as trespassing) or secure entry into Pretrial Diversion Programs (PTD), which can lead to a complete dismissal of all criminal charges.
Do not underestimate the severity of a burglary charge, and do not speak to law enforcement investigators without a lawyer present. Every statement you make can be used by prosecutors to establish the criminal intent they desperately need to secure a conviction. Put a veteran trial specialist in your corner to protect your rights, your family, and your future.
Contact the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard today to schedule your free, in-depth legal consultation at our Bartow office.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule your Free Consultation with Lakeland burglary defense attorney, Robert A. Norgard.
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