Orange County Burglary Attorney

Aggressive Defense for Burglary Charges in Orange County, CA

Have you been accused of burglary? Often referred to as “breaking and entering,” burglary is a crime that involves unlawfully gaining entry into another person’s property with the intent of committing theft or a felony offense. If you have been accused of this serious offense, you need a competent criminal defense lawyer to build an aggressive strategy on your behalf and help you avoid a conviction. Otherwise, you may be at risk of facing up to 6 years in prison.

California Burglary Charges & Penalties

Though burglary is most often associated with theft, unlawfully entering a dwelling for the purpose or with the intent of committing any felony offense may be classified as burglary, even if the intended offense has nothing to do with theft or is not actually carried out. The act of unlawfully breaking and entering alone is enough to constitute burglary charges, as long as the defendant did so with the intention of committing a felony.

The severity of criminal charges and potential penalties for burglary in California will vary depending on what type of structure the defendant is accused of breaking into. Burglary of an inhabited dwelling such as a house or apartment is classified as first degree burglary and may e punishable by up to 6 years in state prison. This offense may also be classified as a “strike” on a defendant’s criminal record under California’s Three Strike Law. Burglary of a commercial or uninhabited building is typically a lesser offense, but may be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the unique circumstances.

Contact a Lawyer Today

At the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah, our attorneys assist clients throughout Irvine, Santa Ana, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and the surrounding areas in Orange County with their burglary charges. If you would like to learn more about your rights and what you can do to positively affect your case, please contact an Orange County burglary attorney at our firm today!