Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

I am 18 years old I have prior charges as a juvinile all ajudication with held. All my juvinile charges happend when i was 14. I went to a program and successfully completed it. I now am an adult and have a 2nd degree burglary (stealthly dwelling.) It is my first adult charge. I was hoping someone could give me some answers. I am going to use my YO (youth offender card) and i want to know if i can get probation? I am very scared. I do not want to go to prison. I already spent 40 days in pinellas county jail. i was bonded out yesterday by my mother. I want to find out every possible way to stay out of prison. I realize i have made a great mistake and have great remorse. I want to be able to live my life as a free man not in prison. Please get back to me as soon as possible. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you very much.


Asked on 9/21/09, 10:28 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Aaron Slavin Slavin Law Firm, LLC

To answer your questions directly, a Residential Burglary is a Second Degree Felony which is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Assuming you had no prior criminal record, you would probably score around two (2) years in prison.

However, as indicated, since you are 18 years of age, you are eligible to be sentenced as a "Youthful Offender." Nonetheless, that is the Judge's decision to make and it is NOT something that automatically happens. The Judge would need to hear the facts of this case, as well as your prior criminal history, in addition to any input that the victim(s) have regarding your sentence.

Our office handles major felony cases throughout the Tampa Bay area. I am a former prosecutor for the Pinellas County State Attorney's Office and can answer any specific questions that you may have about your case.

Please give my office a call if you are interested in setting up a free consultation to discuss your case.

Good luck,

Aaron J. Slavin, Esq.

SLAVIN LAW FIRM, LLC

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Answered on 9/22/09, 8:57 am


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