Penalties for burglary will depend on the circumstances of the event, the type of building or conveyance (car, boat, trailer, or aircraft) that you enter, if you cause damage to it, whether it is occupied, and whether you are or become armed. It is sufficient if the defendant, with the intent to commit a crime, extends any part of his or her body into the structure or a vehicle (conveyance). The jury instructions in Florida for burglary crimes also state that “the entry necessary need not be the whole body of the defendant.” In other words, if you stick your hand through a window, you could be charged with burglary, even if you did not physically enter with your whole body. Any place that was originally designed to be inhabited by people.Ī person can be convicted of burglary even if they are initially invited onto the property, such as being invited to a party where they hide until after the party and then secretly steal jewelry from the host’s bedroom.Any place that is inhabitable by people,.Any place that appears to be inhabited by people.Florida’s definitions of structure, dwelling, and conveyance, are extremely broad and can be any temporary or permanent structure, whether mobile or immobile, including: Florida statute defines burglary as when a person enters a dwelling with the intent to commit a crime. A conviction of a felony can create challenges in obtaining housing or employment, and you will not be allowed to own a firearm.īurglary is a felony offense in Florida that carries severe penalties.

Burglary crimes that can be committed in a few short minutes can mean years or even life in prison. Breaking into a car is just one type of burglary in Florida. This crime is officially called “burglary of a conveyance” and is a third-degree felony, punishable by 5 years in prison and under Florida Statute 810.011(3). Can you go to prison for breaking into a car to take a laptop or iPad in plain view? Yes.

Burglary of conveyance