San Joaquin Burglary Defense Attorney

Arrested for Burglary? Learn Your Defense Options

Burglary is a serious charge that carries serious consequences. If you are convicted, you could face thousands of dollars in fines, thousands of dollars in restitution, and prison time. You could even be deported if you are not a U.S. citizen.

Because of the severity of these charges, you need an attorney who is highly skilled and experienced in burglary cases. At Krueger Legal, our San Joaquin burglary defense attorney has handled hundreds of cases, and we have a proven track record of success.

Call our law firm today at (209) 565-0750 to schedule a consultation.

Understanding Burglary Charges in San Joaquin

Burglary is the unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft. A person can be charged with burglary even if they do not enter the structure. In fact, you can be charged with burglary even if you are in the process of attempting to unlawfully enter a structure. For example, if a person is caught trying to pick a lock, they can still be charged with burglary even if they never entered the building.

San Joaquin Burglary Conviction Penalties

If you are convicted of burglary, you could face the following penalties:

• Up to three years in state prison
• Fines of up to $10,000
• Restitution for damages
• Loss of your right to own a firearm

The penalties for burglary can increase if you have a prior conviction for burglary. Additionally, the penalties can increase if the burglary occurred at a school, public building, or inhabited dwelling. Additionally, if a person is convicted of burglary while possessing a deadly weapon, there can be further penalties.

Proving Burglary: The Prosecutor's Approach

In order to secure a burglary conviction, a prosecutor must generally satisfy three critical elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

These include proving that the defendant:

1. unlawfully entered a building or occupied structure,
2. with the intent to commit a crime therein, and
3. at the time of entry, no one present in the structure gave permission for the entry.

To substantiate these elements, a prosecutor might rely on various forms of evidence, such as surveillance footage, the presence of the defendant's fingerprints or DNA at the scene, stolen property found in the defendant's possession, or even the testimony of an eyewitness. They may also attempt to demonstrate intent to commit a crime inside the structure through circumstantial evidence, such as the possession of burglary tools. Understanding these tactics is crucial for formulating an effective defense.

Strategies to Combat Burglary Allegations

There are several ways that you can fight burglary charges. Our experienced defense attorney can use several different strategies to help you get the charges reduced or dismissed. For example, our attorney may be able to use mistaken identity as a defense. If a person looks similar to the burglar, they may be charged even though they are not the actual burglar.

Additionally, our attorney may be able to use lack of intent as a defense. For example, if the defendant was drunk and accidentally walked into a building, they may not have the intent to commit a felony or theft. Additionally, our attorney may be able to argue that the defendant was entrapped by law enforcement. For example, if law enforcement encourages a person to commit a burglary, the defendant may not be held liable for the crime.

At Krueger Legal, we tailor every defense strategy to the unique needs of your case, and we pour over every detail to craft a robust defense to challenge points brought up by the prosecution.

Get Help from a San Joaquin Burglary Defense Lawyer

If you have been charged with burglary, you need to contact a San Joaquin burglary defense attorney as soon as possible. Our firm at Krueger Legal can help you understand your legal rights, explore all of your options, and fight for your freedom.

Call (209) 565-0750 or contact us online today to get started on your case.