Have you been charged with burglary in West Chester, PA? If so, contact an experienced West Chester burglary lawyer at DiCindio Law, LLC as soon as possible.
Burglary is a felony offense, and if you’re convicted, it can lead to sentences of decades behind bars. Allegations of criminal burglary also have the potential to destroy your reputation, employment, and future opportunities. The best way to fight serious felony charges such as burglary is with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Give us a call at (610) 430-3535 or contact DiCindio Law, LLC if you’re facing burglary charges in West Chester, Pennsylvania. We offer a free consultation to discuss your case, so you have nothing to lose by reaching out to us today.
Table of Contents
How DiCindio Law, LLC Can Help if You’ve Been Charged with Burglary
At DiCindio Law, LLC, we understand the importance of your situation. A burglary charge is very serious, and you shouldn’t disregard the potential this has to negatively impact your future.
Our criminal defense law firm has a strong track record for providing clients with an exceptional legal defense. For over a decade, we’ve successfully helped clients beat charges such as burglary and similar theft crimes. We know criminal law inside and out, and we are tireless in working for our clients’ defense.
While every case is different and will require a different strategy, when you engage us to defend your case, some of the steps your West Chester Theft Crimes Lawyer will take include:
- Seeking to suppress the evidence against you if it was obtained illegally or otherwise violates the rules of evidence
- Challenging interrogations if your Miranda Rights were violated
- Demonstrating reasonable doubt as to whether you committed the crime
- Negotiating with prosecutors for dismissal or reduction in charges
- Fighting the case at trial
- Advocating for a reduced sentence due to mitigating factors
If you have been charged with a burglary in West Chester, Pennsylvania, don’t hesitate—call DiCindio Law, LLC, and give yourself the best chance at beating the charges. Your future may depend on it.
How Is Burglary Defined?
Burglary is defined as the unlawful entry into a building or habitable structure with the intention or attempt to commit a crime and/or execution of a crime. Burglary is more severe than simple theft or criminal trespassing charges.
It is irrelevant whether the building was occupied at the time the alleged crime occurred. Buildings include homes, apartments, RVs, office buildings, etc.
The act of unlawful entry into a structure and the intention of the defendant are the elements that separate burglary from a simple theft or criminal trespassing charge. It is important to note that the law does not require that any actual breaking and entering occur. In fact, there does not need to have been any force used to enter the property.
Unlawful entry simply means that an individual entered a property that they had no legal right or permission to enter. For example, burglary would still be applicable if the property was unlocked or even if the door was left wide open. Burglary would also apply in cases in which deception was used to gain entry inside the home or structure.
Penalties for Burglary Under Pennsylvania Law
Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system punishes burglary crimes especially harshly. The majority of burglary convictions result in mandatory prison sentences that can consist of decades behind bars.
The degree of burglary with which you may be charged depends on several factors. For example, a burglary that occurs inside a location when someone is inside may be charged more severely than a vacant building.
Any case that involves drugs, threats, weapons, or injury to the occupant are punished most severely.
1st Degree Burglary – Felony
The majority of burglary cases are charged as first-degree felonies. First-degree burglary involves unlawfully entering or staying inside of a building with the intention of committing a crime against a person or the property within the building. If you were armed or assaulted anyone when entering or leaving the building, you’re likely to be charged with first-degree burglary.
Burglary in the first degree is a felony conviction with penalties of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
2nd Degree Burglary – Felony
If the illegal entry involves a building or structure that is not adapted for overnight accommodation and no one is present, you could face second-degree burglary charges.
Burglary in the second degree is a felony conviction subject to up to 10 years behind bars and a fine of up to $25,000.
In addition to incarceration and fines, you could suffer other consequences if a felony is on your record.
Some of these collateral consequences include:
- Revocation of professional licenses
- Difficulty keeping or finding employment
- Child custody issues
- Loss of voting rights
It is important to contact a criminal defense attorney to mitigate the consequences you could face if a felony is added to your record. Call DiCindio Law, LLC today for a free consultation.
Defense Strategies for Burglary
There are several defense strategies that an experienced criminal defense lawyer may utilize to help clear your name and charges.
These strategies include:
- The crime never occurred
- You had consent to enter the property
- Lack of intent to commit a crime
- The structure was abandoned property
Burglary charges are serious, and repercussions will depend on the strength of the prosecution’s evidence. Do not face these charges without an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight hard on your behalf. At DiCindio Law, LLC, we’ll do everything we can to clear your name and have these allegations dropped or lowered to less severe charges.
Contact a West Chester Burglary Lawyer Today
Being charged with burglary in Pennsylvania is significant and carries significant penalties. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to the prosecution’s efforts to convict you. Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side can make all the difference in what happens to you and how the consequences of your case will affect your future.
At DiCindio Law, LLC, we’ve helped countless clients get charges dropped or lessened, and we’ll work just as hard for you.
Give us a call today to learn more about how we can defend you and help protect your rights.