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Backed by 15 Years' Experience
as a Former Prosecutor
Specialized in Criminal Defense

St. Petersburg Robbery & Burglary Defense Lawyer

Aggressive Criminal Defense in Pinellas County, FL

Burglary and robbery are serious crimes that can carry heavy prison terms. The skill and experience of your legal counsel can make a difference in the outcome of your case.

Tim Hessinger is a former prosecutor with experience defending against these charges, and takes cases in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee and Pasco counties.


Contact The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger today to schedule your FREE consultation with a St. Petersburg burglary & robbery defense attorney.


What is Burglary?

Many people misunderstand this charge. Burglary is defined as entering a car, home or business with the intent to commit a crime therein. You can be charged with burglary for sneaking or breaking into a building even if nothing was stolen.

Types of Burglary Charges

We handle all levels of burglary and related offenses:

  • 2nd-degree burglary (entering a home)
  • 3rd-degree burglary (entering a business or automobile)
  • 1st-degree burglary battery (committing a battery or assault during a burglary)
  • Criminal trespass
  • Receiving stolen property

Our number one goal is avoiding prison. In negotiations with prosecutors, we seek to reduce first-degree burglary to lesser felonies, or a low-level burglary to misdemeanor trespassing. Depending on criminal history and the circumstances, you may qualify for diversion programs that keep this off your record entirely.

What is a Robbery?

An armed hold-up is a major crime, but a charge of robbery does not necessarily involve guns and ski masks. Robbery is taking the property of others by force or threat — a purse snatching, mugging or carjacking, even shoplifting that involves a struggle with security staff can be charged as a robbery. Robbery is always a felony, and scores mandatory prison on the sentencing guidelines.

In these cases we first attempt to impact the charging decision and then, if robbery charges are filed we evaluate the case for all possible defenses (i.e. self defense, witness credibility issues, etc.). If none of these defenses are viable we often pursue a departure from the sentencing guidelines. This involves the presentation of mitigation evidence to the court.

What are the Penalties for Robbery Charges?

  • Armed robbery with a firearm carries a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term — 20 years if the gun is discharged, and 25 years to life if the victim suffers great bodily harm
  • Home invasion, entering a residence by force, armed and with intent to rob, is a first-degree felony with a life sentence

Enlist Skilled Defense in St. Petersburg & Pinellas County!

Robbery and burglary charges are also subject to steep enhancements for previous convictions. Depending on priors and actual violence, you may face 10 years, 20 years or life as a Violent Career Criminal, Habitual Violent Offender, Habitual Felony Offender or Parole Release Offender.

Attorney Hessinger has handled many robbery and burglary cases, both while he served as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He knows how police investigate these crimes and how prosecutors build their cases. This experience enables our team to spot weaknesses in the case that create leverage for our clients.

The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger can carefully scrutinize the physical evidence, conflicts in witness testimony, witness credibility issues, constitutional rights violations, and police misconduct to maximize your chances of obtaining the best possible outcome.


Contact our St. Petersburg law office for a free case evaluation, or call us at (888) 863-7415.


Our Settlements & Verdicts

Our top priority is to devise customized legal strategies that are tailored to the unique legal needs of our clients, no matter how simple or complicated their situations, might be.

  • All charges dropped. 2 Counts Battery
  • Reduced to 3 Counts. Wh/Adj 3 years probation. 5 Counts Possession of Child Pornography
  • Reduced to 2 counts. Wh/Adj and probation. 9 Counts - Possession of Child Pornography.
  • Not Guilty after Jury Trial Aggravated Assault with a Firearm
  • All charges Dropped. Aggravated Assault With Motor Vehicle
  • Reduced to Felony Battery, dismissed, sealed. Aggravated Battery

Why Choose The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger?

  • 15 years experience in the State Attorney's office
  • Confidential, complimentary initial consultations
  • Accepting calls and cases 24 hours a day
  • Exclusively devoted to criminal defense
  • Tried Over 140 Jury Trials
  • Impressive track record of charge reductions, acquittals, and dismissals

Contact Us Today

We’re Ready to Help

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Hear From Our Happy Clients

At The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger, your satisfaction is our priority! See for yourself what our clients have to say about working with us.

    "He helped our entire family feel secure"
    Mr Hessinger acted in a professional and competent manor. I felt very secure with him handling my case.
    - Former Client
    "He was professional, patient, knowledgeable, kind, helpful, and compassionate."
    His level of expertise in his field was was above anything I could have imagined.
    - Diane C.
    "Tim is well respected within the legal community."
    It is evident that Tim is well respected within the legal community by the prosecution and the judiciary.
    - Legal Professional
    "We are so grateful beyond words as to hiring such a dedicated attorney who always had our back."
    Tim was always available either by text, call, and email; he always promptly answered our questions as to anything pertaining to our case.
    - Vivianna
    "I was in the most capable hands!"
    From my initial interview to the successful conclusion of my case, Mr. Hessinger was extremely thorough, thoughtful and most of all gave me a sense of security knowing that I was in the most capable of hands.
    - Dave