If you have been charged with home invasion robbery in Florida then you may have a defense. False accusation and misidentification are both defenses that are oftentimes successful when fighting a home invasion robbery case. Even if you don’t think you have a defense, you should always speak to an attorney to make sure you have a full understanding of how the law applies specifically to your case. If you want to know more about incidental confinement or how to beat your home invasion robbery case in Florida, then contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.
In Florida, home invasion robbery is defined under Florida Statute 812.135. A person commits home invasion robbery when they enter a dwelling with the intent to unlawfully take money or property from the occupants on the dwelling through the use of force, violence, assault or threat.
Home invasion robbery is a first-degree felony, meaning it is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, or up to 30 years of probation and up to $10,000 in fines (you can also get a jail or prison sentence followed by probation, but the total length of the punishment cannot exceed 30 years). In addition to facing prison time, if you are adjudicated guilty of home invasion robbery, you will lose constitutional rights and you’ll have to deal with many other collateral consequences.
Under the 10/20/Life Statute (Florida Statute 775.087(2)(a)(1), if a person is convicted of home invasion robbery and the jury finds the person possessed a firearm then the court must impose at least the following minimum mandatory sentence:
- at least 10 years if the Defendant actually possessed the firearm during the robbery;
- at least 20 years if the Defendant discharged the firearm during the robbery; and
- at least 25 years and up to life in prison if someone is shot during the robbery.
Criminal convictions, especially convictions for violent charges, carry severe consequences and can never be removed from your criminal record. If you are convicted of a felony, you will lose your right to vote, your right to own firearms, and your ability to maintain certain business licenses. You can also lose your ability to receive financial aid, your ability to live in certain places and your ability to obtain a passport.
If you need an attorney who will advise you, fight for your rights, and do everything possible to protect your future, or if someone you know has been charged with home invasion robbery in Florida, then contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.