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Property Crime Defense Attorney Serving Bartow, Lakeland, and Central Florida
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Lakeland Property Crime Defense Lawyer - Criminal Law
Experienced Property Crime Defense attorney providing Property Crime 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 Property Crime defense lawyer, Robert A. Norgard.
Protecting Your Rights After A Property Crimes Charge
Because property crimes generally do not involve physical violence or bodily harm, many people mistakenly assume that the state of Florida treats them as minor offenses. In reality, Florida has some of the strictest theft, burglary, and property damage laws in the nation. A conviction for a property offense can result in mandatory prison sentences, thousands of dollars in court-ordered restitution, and a permanent felony record that will follow you for the rest of your life.
If you or a loved one is facing allegations of a property-related offense, early intervention by a skilled litigator is critical. At the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard, we provide aggressive, strategic criminal defense representation for clients in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, and throughout Polk County and the greater Central Florida area. We know how local prosecutors build property crime cases, and we know how to challenge their evidence.
Property crime investigations frequently rely heavily on circumstantial evidence, such as surveillance footage, digital transaction trails, and fingerprint or DNA analysis. Defending against these charges demands an attorney with a deep understanding of criminal procedure and a proven track record in front of a jury.
Florida Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
The Professional Advantage: Attorney Robert (Bob) Norgard has been Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 1995 and has successfully defended clients in over 240 criminal jury trials.
As a certified specialist—a distinction held by fewer than 1% of Florida lawyers—Mr. Norgard possesses the elite trial skills and legal insight necessary to identify police procedural errors, challenge flawed forensic evidence, and construct a powerful, customized defense on your behalf.
Forms of Property Crimes in Florida
Property crimes encompass a wide spectrum of offenses that involve the unlawful taking, entering, or destruction of someone else's money, physical belongings, or real estate. Under the Florida Statutes, these crimes carry varying penalties based on the value of the property involved and whether a structure was entered:
Burglary (F.S. § 810.02)
Burglary is defined as entering a dwelling, structure, or conveyance (such as a car or boat) with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter.
Potential Penalties: Burglary is always a felony in Florida. Burglary of an unoccupied conveyance or structure is a Third-Degree Felony (up to 5 years in prison). Burglary of an occupied structure or a dwelling (home) is a Second-Degree Felony (up to 15 years in prison). If a defendant becomes armed or commits an assault/battery during the offense, it is elevated to a First-Degree Felony punishable by up to life in prison.
Grand Theft and Petit Theft (F.S. § 812.014)
Theft occurs when a person knowingly and unlawfully obtains or uses the property of another with the intent to deprive them of its use or benefit. The severity of the charge depends heavily on the market value of the stolen property:
Petit Theft: Property valued under $750. It is a misdemeanor offense carrying up to 60 days or 1 year in jail depending on the exact value tier.
Grand Theft: Property valued at $750 or more. It is a felony offense divided into three degrees:
- Third-Degree Grand Theft ($750 to $19,999): Up to 5 years in prison.
- Second-Degree Grand Theft ($20,000 to $99,999): Up to 15 years in prison.
- First-Degree Grand Theft ($100,000 or more): Up to 30 years in prison.
Grand Theft Auto / Motor Vehicle Theft (F.S. § 812.014(2)(c)6)
Stealing any motor vehicle in Florida is automatically classified as a Third-Degree Felony, regardless of the actual cash value of the vehicle. A conviction carries up to 5 years in state prison and a permanent felony record.
Credit Card Fraud & Identity Theft (Chapter 817)
The unlawful use of a credit card, fraudulent creation of a credit instrument, or the unauthorized use of another person's personal identification information (PII) is aggressively prosecuted in Central Florida. These white-collar property crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or high-level felonies depending on the financial amounts stolen or the number of identities compromised.
Fighting Property Crimes
An arrest is not a conviction. To find you guilty, the state must prove every statutory element of the crime Beyond a Reasonable Doubt. We thoroughly evaluate the state's discovery materials to raise powerful, legally recognized defenses, including:
- Lack of Criminal Intent: Many property crimes, such as theft and burglary, require proof that you intended to steal or commit a crime at the exact moment the incident occurred. If you accidentally walked away with an item, or entered a building without any criminal intent, the legal standard for a conviction is not met.
- Good Faith Claim of Right / Ownership: If you honestly believed that you had a lawful right, ownership stake, or valid permission to take or possess the property in question, you cannot be convicted of theft.
- Fourth Amendment Violations (Unlawful Search and Seizure): If local law enforcement searched your home, vehicle, or pockets without a valid warrant, a recognized exception, or probable cause, we will file a Motion to Suppress. Excluding illegally obtained physical property often forces the state to drop the case entirely.
- Mistaken Identity and Alibi: Property crimes frequently occur at night or rely on grainy security footage. We work to challenge witness identification procedures and demonstrate flaws in the state's placement of you at the scene.
A property crime conviction carries a long-term stigma that goes far beyond immediate jail time or probation. It is considered a crime of dishonesty (crimen falsi). Having a theft or fraud conviction on your permanent record makes it incredibly difficult to secure employment, obtain housing, qualify for professional business licenses, or get approved for personal loans.
By intervening early, the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard can aggressively negotiate with state attorneys. For eligible individuals with minimal prior records, we work to secure entry into a Pretrial Diversion Program, which results in the total dismissal of your charges upon completion, keeping your record completely clean.
Do not risk your livelihood, your reputation, and your personal freedom. If you are facing investigations or formal charges for burglary, grand theft, auto theft, or fraud in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, or anywhere in Central Florida, protect your rights immediately.
Contact the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard today to schedule your legal consultation. Let a Florida Bar Board-Certified Specialist build the strategic defense your future requires.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule your Free Consultation with Lakeland Property Crime defense attorney, Robert A. Norgard.
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