Broward communities such as Weston and Parkland have become the targets of burglars, according to the Sun Sentinel.
Law enforcement officials state that strings of burglaries in affluent gated suburbs in both of these Broward cities have occurred.
These alleged burglaries have occurred when residents are not home. This makes the crime burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. Burglary of an unoccupied dwelling is a 2nd degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
While there is no statutory mandatory minimum sentence for burglary, Florida's sentencing guidelines recommend a minimum sentence of 21 months in prison, and that's providing that the accused has no prior record.
Other charges often accompany burglary charges, such as grand theft and
criminal mischief.
Detectives put together burglary cases using fingerprint evidence, DNA evidence, eyewitness testimony, video surveillance, and sale of recently stolen property (which alone may be its own charge, false verification to a pawn broker).
Sometimes accused people will be arrested on one burglary case and will confess to several others. Also, fingerprint evidence may link an accused to one or more burglaries.
Burglary is taken seriously by police and prosecutors. In Broward County, it is not uncommon for prosecutors to seek prison sentences, even for first-time offenders.
Pretrial Intervention (PTI) is not available for burglary charges.
I am a criminal defense attorney serving Miami-Dade and Broward. I have handled several burglary cases and may be able to assist you with yours.
Call me to discuss your case.