Car burglaries up in Jacksonville neighborhood

As a Jacksonville Criminal Lawyer, I represent people charged with all types of crimes, including Burglary in Jacksonville. Car burglaries, also referred to as Burglary to a Conveyance in Duval County, are up in one Jacksonville neighborhood. In the past week, seven cars were broken into in the apartment complex of Leigh Meadows, according to an article on News4Jax.com. Every one of the cars was unlocked, which is an invitation for a Jacksonville theft. Often times, the thieves will lift door handles looking for that one unlocked door. The act of going from car to car to steal is also referred to as “car hopping”. In order to be arrested for burglary to a car in Jacksonville, all you have to do is touch the outside of the car with the intention to commit a crime therein. That crime would be a theft in Duval County.

Burglary in Jacksonville is defined in the Florida Statutes as entering or remaining in a home, structure or conveyance (car) with the intent to commit an offense once inside. A home, or dwelling, is defined as a building of any kind that has a roof over it and is designed to be occupied by people overnight. You can even be arrested in Jacksonville for burglary if you steal something out of the attached porch or carport. A “structure” means any building, temporary or permanent, that has a roof over it and is enclosed. In the case of car burglaries, a “conveyance” is defined as any motor vehicle, ship, vessel, railroad car and trailer.

Punishments for burglary in Jacksonville vary depending on whether or not there was someone was inside the home, structure or car at the time of the burglary. Any charge of Burglary is considered a felony in Jacksonville. A burglary to an unoccupied car is a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Like I said above, just touching the outside of a car wanting to steal something inside can be considered a felony in Duval County. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a burglary in Jacksonville, it is extremely important to consult with an Experienced Duval County Criminal Attorney. Our Jacksonville Burglary Attorney, Victoria “Tori” Mussallem, has represented hundreds of people charged with theft crimes in Northeast Florida. Call our Jacksonville Theft Law Firm at (904) 365-5200 for a FREE CONSULTATION.