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BURGLARY

Have you been charged with Burglary?

People often confuse the crime of burglary with other crimes, especially with the crime of robbery. That is probably because burglary makes it illegal to enter certain structures, vehicles, or other modes of transportation with the intent to carry out any felony or a misdemeanor petty theft.

It is the physical entry with the intent to commit a felonious crime (or petty theft) that constitutes the crime of burglary. The crime the burglar intends to commit does not even need to be actually committed for the crime of burglary to occur. Let’s say someone enters a house with the intention to murder someone but the murder is thwarted and no one is killed. While in that scenario the actual murder did not occur, the burglary did.

First Degree Burglary

A first degree burglary occurs whenever someone enters a structure that is inhabited. This might be a house, an apartment, an RV, a houseboat, a tent or sometimes just a separate room within a structure. Other structures may also be considered “inhabited” under this statute; all that is required is that someone is currently living in the structure. The inhabitant does not need to be there for a burglary to be charged.

Second Degree Burglary

It is a second degree burglary when someone enters a structure that is not currently being lived in, for example a storage shed or a business or enters a locked vehicle or other mode of transportation such as a railroad car or an airplane, with the intent to carry out a felonious crime or a petty theft.

Under certain circumstances, for example when a victim suffers great bodily injury during a burglary, the sentence for burglary can be enhanced, meaning a longer potential prison sentence.

Penalties for Burglary
Burglary is a serious charge. First degree burglary is always charged as a felony and Second degree burglary may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Furthermore, someone who commits burglary will be charged with the underlying crime or, if the underlying crime is not completed, with the attempt. Anyone charged with burglary should contact an experience criminal defense attorney immediately.

First degree burglary is punishable by imprisonment in state prison and Second degree burglary carries a sentence of county jail and/or probation (if charged as a misdemeanor) or imprisonment in a county jail (if charged as a felony).

Have you been arrested for Burglary? Contact us today.

The Crosland Law Group, LLC is criminal defense attorneys with proven results and we promise to vigorously defend your rights to the full extent of the law. We have successfully defended hundreds of clients to help them protect their rights and to help get their lives back.

For a confidential consultation about Burglary charges, contact The Crosland Law Group, LLC at
(203) 921-1782.

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What Should You Do Next?

  1. Call us immediately so that you can have an experienced Attorney on your side or email us with your questions or concerns.

  2. Don’t talk about your situation with anybody until you have had the opportunity to discuss it with your Attorney. It is usually best to make no statement and sign nothing! At some point the police may ask you to come into the station and give a statement. You may believe this is your chance to tell your side of the story. For any individual under investigation for or charged with a serious criminal offense, this is a perilous time.

  3. Instead of talking to the police, consult with a criminal defense attorney. Your consultation is free. If you then hire our firm, your lawyer can intercede on your behalf and talk to the detectives. This is a great way to get valuable information and may result in charges not being filed. Most importantly, doing so will keep you from giving a statement that might ultimately be used against you. Rest assured, it is likely that the District Attorney will use any statement you make at trial. Statements you make innocently on your own behalf can result in damage as well.

It is also helpful for you to put together any papers related to the case; create a list of potential witnesses; and compile documentation of your good character. All of these things will help your Attorney construct your best defense. The sooner an experienced Attorney is on your case, the better chance you have of obtaining a favorable result.

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