A burglary charge in Lancaster County, PA can have an extremely serious effect on your constitutional rights, including years in prison and very high fines. Burglary is a felony charge that can affect your ability to vote, own a gun, and gain or maintain employment. However, a charge does not equal a conviction, so with the right legal help, you can defend your case and protect your constitutional rights.
With the help of an experienced and aggressive legal defense team, you can ensure your rights are best protected. An experienced Lancaster County Burglary Attorney has the years of experience necessary to make sure your case is properly protected.
Burglary Offenses in Lancaster County, PA
As a felony charge, burglary can have a seriously negative impact on your life. With this charge comes the risk of years decades in prison and high fines that can harm your financial well-being. This is not a criminal charge that you can take lightly.
Under Pennsylvania law at 18 Pa. C.S. § 3502, burglary is defined as the unauthorized entry into certain premises with the intent to commit a crime within those premises. If certain circumstances are true, however, a burglary does not occur:
- the defendant is permitted to be in the building through some license or privilege
- the premises at issue are open to the public at the time of the alleged burglary
Another defense that can be raised is to show that the building was abandoned at the time of the alleged burglary. When this is the case, a burglary charge is not appropriate.
Penalties Upon Conviction in Pennsylvania
Burglary can be either a first-degree felony or a second-degree felony. The charge is a second-degree felony if the premises are not adapted for overnight accommodation (a residence) and there was no person present in the premises during the alleged incident. When this is the case, the following possible penalties apply:
- a maximum total of 10 years in prison
- a maximum total fine of $25,000
When the charge is not a second-degree felony, it is a first-degree felony. When this is the case, the following possible penalties apply:
- a maximum total of 20 years in prison
- a maximum total fine of $25,000
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
A burglary charge is not to be taken lightly, as it is a felony charge that could land you in prison for many years. A Pennsylvania prosecutor is required to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt; a high standard. With the help of an experienced Lancaster County Burglary lawyer at your side, you can present defenses to protect yourself against these extremely serious possible penalties.
You can present evidence that you did not commit the crime, or negotiate a plea to a lesser charge after your attorney shows the prosecutor the weaknesses in his or her case. On your own, the prosecutor may not take you seriously, and go for the max.
Consult an Experienced Lancaster County Burglary Attorney
With the help of the experienced attorneys at the LLF Law Firm, you can ensure that your constitutional rights are protected from the prosecutor, and you can present a strong defense to your case. Call (888) 535-3686 or contact us online today to schedule a consultation.
