A Northampton County burglary charge can seriously affect your constitutional rights. Upon conviction, you face many years in state prison as well as the risk of tens of thousands of dollars in fines. However, a charge is not a conviction. You can defend your case and protect your constitutional rights. With the right attorney by your side to defend your case, you can protect those rights and possibly have the charges against you dismissed.
An aggressive criminal defense team can advocate on your behalf and protect your rights. An experienced Northampton County Burglary Attorney will put years of experience to work to protecting your rights and defending your case.
Burglary Offenses in Northampton County, PA
When a person is charged with burglary in Pennsylvania, he or she faces a felony-level charge. Because of this, the penalties for the offense are potentially very high. As a result, your entire future could be very seriously affected if you do not present a strong defense.
Burglary is defined under Pennsylvania law by 18 Pa. C.S. § 3502. It defines the offense as an unauthorized entry into a building with an intent to commit a crime while within that building. However, a burglary does not meet the charge's definition if:
- the defendant is privileged or licensed to be in the building at the time of the alleged offense
- the building is open to the public at the time of the alleged offense
- the building at issue was abandoned at the time of the alleged offense
Burglary Conviction Penalties in Pennsylvania
If the building that was broken into is not adapted for overnight accommodation (a residence) or no person is in the building at the time of the alleged offense, the burglary is a felony of the second degree. When this is the case, the possible penalties are as follows:
- a maximum of 10 years in state prison
- a maximum possible fine of $25,000
If the burglary does not meet the second-degree felony definition, it is a felony of the first degree. In that case, the possible penalties are as follows:
- a maximum of 20 years in state prison
- a maximum possible fine of $25,000
Why Do I Need an Attorney?
Without the help of an experienced Northampton County Burglary Attorney, you leave yourself open to the full pressure of the Pennsylvania prosecutor. You have rights that deserve to be defended, and only a lawyer with years of experience defending burglary cases has the knowledge and determination necessary to protect those rights.
A prosecutor is required to prove all of the elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Your attorney can help prevent the prosecutor from proving the case against you. The right legal advice could make all the difference in your particular case.
Consult an Experienced Northampton County Burglary Attorney
Our Criminal Law Team and the LLF Law Firm are ready to defend your constitutional rights against a PA burglary charge. Remember, just because you are charged with a crime does not mean that you are guilty.
An experienced Northampton County Burglary Attorney can protect your constitutional rights. Call (888) 535-3686 or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation.
