Criminal Defense For Those Accused of Burglary

What is burglary, as defined by the California Penal Code? It is a criminal offense that involves unlawfully breaking and entering, entering or remaining in another’s property with the intent of committing theft or a felony offense once inside. A defendant in Los Angeles may face misdemeanor or felony charges for burglary, depending on the type of structure entered as well as the use of a weapon and other factors. A felony burglary conviction on a defendant’s record may also mean a strike on his or her record, resulting in greatly enhanced penalties for future felony convictions.

“Mr. Helfend did an amazing job defending my case, I highly recommend him to anyone in need of a great criminal defense attorney.”Anonymous, CA

Just because you were arrested for or charged with burglary, this does not mean that you should be convicted. An arrest does not equal guilt. With a Los Angeles burglary attorney to protect your legal rights to the fullest extent, you have the invaluable opportunity of effectively challenging your charges and avoiding a conviction. This will require a focused, aggressive criminal defense strategy based upon a meticulous investigation that reviews all pertinent evidence, including the manner in which the initial investigation, collection and processing of evidence and arrest were carried by law enforcement.

Penalties for Burglary

Burglary can result in either a misdemeanor or a felony charge- which is subject to the discretion of the court and based off of factors such as your criminal record and the circumstances of your case. If you are convicted of a felony, you could face up to six years in state prison. There are two forms of burglary: first-degree and second-degree. First degree is taken more seriously as it involves burglarizing an inhabited residence. Second degree burglary is the burglarizing of anything else- this could be a commercial burglary or shoplifting.

All that a prosecutor has to prove is that you entered a building and that you did so with the intent to steal or commit another crime, and you can be saddled with a felony or misdemeanor conviction. While there are harsh penalties even for a misdemeanor burglary charge, if you are charged with a first degree felony burglary, this will count as one strike on your record (according to California’s Three Strikes Law, this can result in increased sentencing: someone who shoplifted twice could face two life sentences, for instance).

If you are convicted of first degree burglary, you will have to serve 85% of your sentence. But even a misdemeanor second degree burglary conviction shouldn’t be taken lightly as it can result in up to one year in county jail and a fine of $1,000.Also, a second degree burglary charge can result in a felony conviction, unless the right circumstances exist that could lower your charge to a misdemeanor.

Los Angeles Burglary Attorney

My firm is focused exclusively on the aggressive defense of clients facing various misdemeanor and felony charges in state and federal courts. As a criminal defense attorney with more than 30 years of experience, I understand what it takes to defend a client in the face of felony burglary charges. I know that your entire future may be on the line. Therefore, I have staked my entire business on ensuring that only the most skillful tactics are applied to the defense methods I use when tackling the criminal charges my clients face. I provide a level of legal counsel that surpasses even the most zealous attempts by law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office.

If you entrust the details of your case to my firm, I can help you evaluate what would be the best defense option. Perhaps we can prove that you lawfully entered a building/residence, perhaps you didn’t intent to commit a crime when you entered the building, or perhaps the crime did not occur in a building structure. Were you forced to burglarize? Intoxicated? Or did one of the residents consent to your act? Once we determine the answers to these questions, we will be able to pick the best legal defense strategy. I can help you understand all the legal ramifications of the charges facing you, analyze each detail of your case and help you preserve your integrity and uphold your innocence! Schedule a confidential consultation and find out more about how I can use my knowledge as a criminal trial attorney to protect you in the face of Los Angeles burglary charges. Contact my firm today!

Leave a reply