West Palm Beach Bank Robbed by Man Seeking Treatment

It may be the truth or it may be an attempt at a defense, but a man says his motivation for recently robbing a West Palm Beach bank was not for money, but in order to get the treatment that he needs for his alcohol addiction. Logan Bradley is currently being held in the Palm Beach County Jail with bail set at $50,000. He is charged with robbery without a weapon. Bradley allegedly gave the teller a note saying that he had a gun and it was a robbery. After fleeing with $1,715.05, Bradley was arrested a few hours later at the sober living home where he resides. He reportedly told the West Palm Beach police that he didn’t rob the bank because he needed money, but rather that he had a drinking problem and wanted the help. This incident is a great jumping off point to look more closely at the robbery and burglary laws in Florida and the idea of sentencing someone to drug and alcohol treatment instead of jail.

Robbery and Burglary Charges in Florida

According to Florida law, robbery is the taking of money or property from another with the intent to permanently deprive them of property. Robbery involves the taking of money from a person by force or threat of force. On the other hand, burglary means taking things from a house or other building.

Robbery with a weapon is punished by a mandatory 10-year prison sentence, or a mandatory 20-year prison sentence if the firearm was discharged. If the victim suffered serious bodily injury, then the person who committed the robbery can be punished with up to life in prison. Consequences can also include fines and costs of up to $10,000. If you are not armed at the time of the robbery, as it appears with Bradley above, though he did claim he had a weapon, then you can be convicted of a second degree felony, which may include fines of up to $10,000 and up to 15 years in prison. 

Can I Be Sentenced to Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

In some circumstances in Florida, the judge can choose to sentence an offender to drug court which typically includes enhanced monitoring and access to drug and alcohol treatment and testing. Unfortunately for Logan Bradley, it is only available for non-violent offenders which disqualifies him since robbery is a violent crime even if there is no weapon.

Along with the qualification named above, in order to get the option of transferring to drug court, the offender must have not been arrested before, he or she must have a drug or alcohol problem, he or she must have been arrested for a crime related to drug or alcohol use, and he or she must voluntarily decide to enter into the program.  

West Palm Beach Robbery and Burglary Attorneys

If you are charged with robbery or burglary, you need a skilled attorney on your side especially if you are looking for an alternative sentence that does not include jail. Our experienced robbery and burglary defense attorneys at the Skier Law Firm, P.A. in West Palm Beach, Florida can help to advocate for your innocence or a reduced or alternative sentence.

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