Robbery, Theft And Burglary Defense In Miami

Last updated on July 31, 2026

A charge of robbery, theft or burglary can devastate your reputation, your career and your family, even if the accusations are completely false. When so much is at stake, you cannot afford to wait and see what happens. You need to understand your charges, safeguard your rights and explore your legal options immediately.

At the Law Offices of Orlando Rodriguez P.A., I provide relentless, aggressive legal defense for clients throughout South Florida, including the city of Miami, Coral Gables, Hialeah, Doral and more. With 22 years of exclusive focus on criminal law, I know the nuances of the local court systems and how to build a winning strategy. Every client receives my personal cell phone number for direct, reliable communication.

Key Differences: Robbery, Theft And Burglary

If you’ve been charged with robbery, theft or burglary, the situation may appear terrible, but depending on the facts and circumstances, there are defenses that can result in charges being reduced or dismissed.

• Theft occurs when someone “intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals or retains possession of movable property of another without the other’s consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property.”
• Burglary occurs when someone “intentionally enters a place without the consent of the person in lawful possession and with intent to steal or commit a felony.” Often referred to as breaking and entering.
• Robbery occurs when someone “takes property from the person or presence of the owner by either using force or by threatening the imminent use of force”.

Schedule an initial consultation today to discuss the key differences between robbery, theft and burglary.

Consequences Of Being Accused Of Property Crimes

These criminal charges will ruin your future plans, and if convicted, you will face heavy fines and long imprisonment. There’s a possibility you’ll suffer these consequences too:

• Loss of current employment.
• Loss of future professional opportunities.
• Loss of academic scholarships.
• Loss of business or client accounts.
• Suspension of driver’s license.
• Loss of trust within close relationships.
• Public scrutiny.
• Potential denial of applications for U.S. Green Cards or U.S. Citizenship.

Schedule a confidential consultation today to discuss the charges against you and start planning your case.

Florida Robbery, Theft And Burglary Penalties

Penalties for those convicted of these offenses are particularly severe in Florida, particularly for those in Miami-Dade County.

Grand Theft

• The stolen property was valued at $100,000 or more: maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000
•  The property was valued between $20,000 and $99,000: maximum of 15 years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines or
• The property was valued between $300 and $19,999, or it was a firearm, a motor vehicle, a commercially farmed animal, a fire extinguisher, any amount of fruit consisting of 2,000 or more pieces, a stop sign, construction signs or anhydrous ammonia: maximum five years in prison and a $5,000 fine

Petty Theft

• The property was valued between $100 and $299: maximum penalty of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine or
•  The property was valued at less than $100: maximum of 60 days in prison and a $500 fine.

Robbery

Charges will vary based on the extent to which you used force in carrying out the crime:

•  Robbery without a deadly weapon: Charged as a second-degree felony, up to 15 years in prison
• Robbery with a deadly weapon: Charged as a first-degree felony, up to life in prison
• A home invasion with or without a deadly weapon: Charged as a first-degree felony, up to life in prison

Burglary

Burglary is a felony in Florida and may be charged in the first, second or third degree.

•  First-degree burglary: Applies if you used a motor vehicle to destroy the structure or if you caused more than $1,000 in damage to it, up to life in prison and a $10,000 fine
• Second-degree burglary: If you did not use a deadly weapon or commit an assault or battery when you entered the structure, a maximum of fifteen years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
• Third-degree burglary: If you did not use a deadly weapon or commit an assault or battery, and if the occupants of the dwelling were not present at the time you entered, imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to $5,000

You don’t have to face the legal system alone. I will clearly explain your charges, outline your options and meticulously prepare an aggressive defense tailored to your case.

Get A Strong, Persistent Defense. Contact Me Today

The prosecution is already building its case against you. Don’t give them a head start. If you or a loved one has been charged with these offenses in Florida, contact me right away. Give me a call at 786-687-5174 or email me to discuss your case and take control of your future. To make your defense as accessible as possible, I accept credit cards, cash, Bitcoin and Stablecoins. Se habla español.