Under the Pennsylvania law, Burglary is a very serious offense. Call the Law Offices of Michelle A. Montgomery County Buglary LawyerFioravanti at 484-876-1543 or contact us if you have been charged with Burglary to start working on the defense of your case as soon as possible.

Burglary Attorney in Chester, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Delaware, Lancaster, Berks and Bucks County Pennsylvania

You will be convicted of Burglary if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania can prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the below offense:

A person is guilty of burglary if he enters a building or occupied structure, or separately secured or occupied portion thereof, with intent to commit a crime therein, unless the premises are at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter.

Defenses to the Pennsylvania Criminal Charge of Burglary

There are several defenses to the charge of Burglary. One is the Commonwealth, through the Assistant District Attorney, did not meet the burden of proving all the elements of the crime charged. For example, it isn’t enough for the police to simply find you inside a building; the Assistant District Attorney must prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you entered the building or structure with the intent to commit a crime. Also, there is a defense unique to the charge of Burglary: you cannot be found guilty of Burglary if the building or structure that you entered was abandoned. Even if the Assistant District Attorney is able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you entered the building with the intent to commit a crime, it cannot be Burglary if the building was abandoned.

Penalties for the Criminal Charge of Burglary

If you are found guilty of entering a building with the intent to commit a crime, you are guilty of Burglary, a felony in the first degree. If the building is not accommodated for overnight dwelling and there is no one present in the building at the time of entry, then you are guilty of a felony in the second degree. You cannot be found guilty of any other crime committed after you entered the building unless that additional crime is graded as a felony in the first or second degree.

You are facing jail time if charged with Burglary. It is important that you call the Law Offices of Michelle A. Fioravanti at 484-876-1543 or contact us so that we may start preparing a defense as soon as possible.