Newport News Burglary Lawyer

In Virginia, burglary is considered breaking into and entering a home, dwelling, business, place of abode without the permission of the owner, and taking items with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of them permanently. A burglary conviction could lead to harsh consequences, such as long jail sentences which can include a life sentence. If you have been charged, get in touch with an experienced attorney. A Newport News burglary lawyer could prove to be a valuable asset to your case.

Penalties for Burglary in Newport News

The penalties for burglary in Virginia range from up 20 years in prison to up to life in prison. Aggravating factors can include a person’s criminal history, whether the entry was made through an unlocked door, who was in the house at the time, whether it was a house or a business, and what their behavior was inside the house. A person charged with this offense should seek the services of a Newport News burglary lawyer for help with building a solid defense.

The degrees of burglary in Newport News can vary. A person can be charged with burglarizing with the intent to commit larceny, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 20 years in prison. If a person is burglarizing with the intent to commit a murder, robbery, rape, or kidnapping, that can be punishable by up to life in prison. Also, if they used a weapon committing a burglary, that can trigger additional penalties.

Difference Between Burglary and Trespassing

The difference between burglary and trespassing is that with trespassing, nothing may have been taken, but a person may have been on the property without permission. However, a person can still be charged with burglary even though they may have had permission to be on the property. There are overlapping elements in these offenses that may require different charges, but the main difference lies in whether or not the person took items without permission from the owner and had the intent to deprive them of it.

What Happens if an Attempted Burglary Damages a Person’s Property?

If an attempted burglary causes damage to a person’s property, that involves a charge separate from a burglary charge. In that case, the charge would be destruction of property. It can also be considered by either the judge or the jury as a factor in the case.

Prosecution’s Approach to Burglary Charges in Newport News

In burglary cases in Newport News, the prosecution has to prove that a person entered a building without permission and took items from it with the intent to deprive the rightful owner of the items permanently. The building can be a residence, a business, even a storage shed, but it is still burglary.

Prosecutors tend to treat burglary charges very seriously, but how seriously often depends on the circumstances of the case. A burglary of an empty building or empty storage shed will be treated differently from a burglary of an occupied house the thief knew to be occupied.

Benefits of Hiring a Newport News Burglary Attorney

If you have been charged with this offense, it is important to get in touch with a Newport News burglary lawyer to help you litigate these charges. An attorney can help you collect evidence, analyze the evidence, and then choose the best course of action to proceed with your defense. An attorney can also negotiate with the prosecution and the judge in an effort to reduce the seriousness of the charges. Call an attorney today if you believe this assistance could be beneficial to your defense.