Fort Lauderdale Men Charged in Multiple State Burglary Ring

Five Fort Lauderdale men have been charged with participating in a burglary ring that extends from Florida through Georgia and into South Carolina, ABC News reports.

Fort Lauderdale Burglary Defense Lawyers have decades of experience as state prosecutors, so we know how the state attorney thinks and how they will work to obtain a conviction against our clients. That’s why we have the experience to defend Fort Lauderdale burglary cases and other charges that the state brings against defendants every day.

According to the news reports, the five men — ages 23 to 34 — targeted liquor stores, cell phone stores, electronics stores and retail outlets in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement says the men committed more than 250 burglaries, stealing alcohol, cell phones, televisions and other electronics worth more than $1 million.

Authorities said the men stole in 18 different Florida counties and they expect to make more arrests.

Large-scale investigations that agents take on like this can be very complex, with thousands of pages of documentation and discovery information to analyze and study. These types of cases typically take a long time to resolve and hiring the right attorney can make all the difference for the defendant.

Sometimes, successfully negotiating a plea deal can mean keeping a charge like burglary off a person’s criminal history record. Less serious charges from burglary, such as possession of stolen goods or trespassing, could help reduce the consequences of a conviction. Lesser charges could mean less severe consequences in the event you are charged again in the future.

But it sometimes takes a full-court press defense and preparation for trial to get the best possible outcome in these cases. Burglary in Fort Lauderdale (Florida Statute 810.02) is punishable all the way from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony, depending on the circumstances. So, beating that charge and getting a jury to acquit may be the best strategy.

If someone uses a weapon and enters an occupied building, they can go to prison for life. If no weapon is used, but someone is in the building, they can face up to 15 years. Simply committing a burglary where there are no people involved can put a person in prison for five years. And most defendants aren’t charged with one count of burglary. Five counts of stealing from a home or business means a possible 25-year sentence.

So, how important is it to consult with a team of attorneys who are on the cutting edge of defense tactics in South Florida? Don’t do anything before you talk with Fort Lauderdale Burglary Lawyers. Call today.

If you are arrested on burglary charges in Fort Lauderdale or elsewhere in South Florida, contact Leifert & Leifert at 954-523-9600 or 561-988-8000 for a free consultation.