Fort Myers Property Crimes Lawyer

Property Crime Attorney in Fort Myers, FL

Property crimes can range from minor petty theft to serious offenses such as arson or burglary. Even minor offenses can carry serious consequences, such as fines or imprisonment. More serious offenses can carry much more severe penalties. If you have been arrested or charged with a property crime, you need a Fort Myers property crimes lawyer to build a strategic defense and fight against conviction.

Work With Atlas Defense Law’s Fort Myers Property Crimes Attorney

When you get legal representation, you need a strategic and dedicated defense, but you also need someone who treats you with respect and compassion. At Atlas Defense Law, we understand how stressful criminal charges can be, particularly when you are unfamiliar with the criminal defense system. We have nearly 20 years of legal experience and provide the comprehensive, aggressive legal defense you need against property crime charges.

Our goal is to limit or avoid the penalties of conviction. We fight for you in and out of court. Benjamin Abdulnour has experience in more than 50 trial cases, has secured numerous acquittals, and he answers your calls personally. Atlas Defense Law fights for you and your future along each step of the case.

What Is a Property Crime in Fort Myers?

Property crimes are offenses that involve the use, taking, or destruction of someone else’s property without their consent. They are distinct from violent offenses, offenses against the person, and offenses against society.

There were 346,701 property offenses in Florida in 2021, reported by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). 8,053 of those offenses occurred in Lee County, including:

• 6,173 larceny offenses
• 1,181 burglary offenses
• 699 motor vehicle theft offenses

Property crimes can be charged as misdemeanors or felonies. Criminal cases in Fort Myers are handled by the 20th Circuit Courts, located on 2075 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Types of Property Crimes

There are several types of property crimes and crimes against property in Fort Myers, including:

• Criminal mischief or vandalism. This includes intentionally injuring, defacing, or damaging personal property. This includes graffiti. The severity of the offense depends on the value of the damage done.
• Theft offenses, such as larceny, are penalized based on the value of the items stolen. High-value theft is considered grand larceny and has more significant penalties. Grand larceny can also include the theft of specific items, such as firearms, a will, or a vehicle.

The FDLE reported more than 921,900 larceny offenses in the state. 82,306 of which were theft from a motor vehicle. More than 67,100 were shoplifting offenses.

• Criminal trespass. This is unlawful and unauthorized entry into any structure or building, or refusing to leave after authorized entry is retracted. This is a misdemeanor that becomes a felony if the trespasser is armed with a weapon or a firearm.
• Burglary is a property crime that involves breaking and entering or otherwise entering a building without permission with the intent to steal or commit another forcible felony. In 2020, there were nearly 53,000 burglary offenses in Florida, and more than 33,400 of them occurred in residences, according to the FDLE. Burglary is always charged as a felony.
• Motor vehicle theft. The FDLE reported 38,013 motor vehicle theft offenses in the state in 2020. More than 24,000 were auto-related, while over 7,600 were thefts of large trucks or buses. Nearly 3,800 offenses were theft of motorcycles.
• This is the offense of causing damage by fire or explosion, either willfully and intentionally or while committing another felony. It is either a first- or second-degree felony, depending on the structure damaged.

Other offenses that fall under crimes against property include:

• Destruction/damage
• Forgery
• Bribery
• Fraud
• Identity theft
• Extortion
• Embezzlement
• Dealing in stolen property
• Scheme to defraud

Different offenses require unique defense strategies, such as a lack of intent to commit a crime, a consent defense, or a challenge to the value of the item in the offense. It is important that you work with legal representation that knows how to create a personalized and thorough defense for your case.

FAQs

Q: How Much Does a Property Crimes Defense Lawyer Cost in Florida?

A: There is no one cost of a property crimes defense lawyer in Florida. Property crimes can be less complicated than other, more serious offenses, making them easier to defend and therefore less costly. However, this is not always the case. Burglary charges, for example, can be very severe and complex, making them more costly.

Q: What Are the Crimes Against Property in Florida?

A: Some of the main crimes against property in Florida include criminal mischief, larceny, burglary, vandalism, motor vehicle theft, arson, destruction and damage, forgery, embezzlement, extortion, bribery, and other offenses. These offenses can seem minor, but can be very serious, particularly when property of high value is stolen or destroyed. Offenses like arson or burglary can elevate to crimes against a person very easily if someone was present during the offense.

Q: What Is the Most Common Property Crime?

A: The most common property crime is often larceny, which includes both petit and grand theft, like pick-pocketing, shoplifting, and purse snatching. Larceny also includes offenses such as dealing in stolen property and certain fraud offenses. When the amount stolen is below a certain threshold, the offense may be charged as a misdemeanor, unless it involves a specific item, such as a firearm. Theft of significant amounts of money is generally a felony.

Q: Why Is It Important to Hire a Property Crimes Lawyer in Fort Myers?

A: It is essential that you hire a property crimes lawyer in Fort Myers to protect yourself against these charges. Property crime charges can have serious consequences on your freedom and future, and an attorney offers the greatest chance to limit the penalties you face or even avoid conviction entirely. An attorney investigates the case against you, gathers evidence for your defense, and advocates for you in or out of court.

Navigating Your Property Crime Cases With Atlas Defense Law

Don’t take property crime charges lightly. Contact Atlas Defense Law today.