Hopewell Burglary Lawyer
A burglary conviction could seriously impact your life for years to come. Depending on the severity of the offense, you may be looking at five years or even life in prison. The steps you take to fight your charges, or obtain the most favorable plea deal possible, will continue to affect your life for years to come.
Hire a Hopewell burglary lawyer to protect you during this challenging phase of your life. A competent theft lawyer will use years of experience to get you the best result possible.
Burglary and Related Crimes
Burglary is a serious felony offense in Virginia. This offense is committed when a person breaks into or enters the home of another at night intending to steal or commit a felony therein. If the alleged perpetrator was unarmed during the commission of the offense, they would be charged with a Class 3 felony. However, if they were armed at the time, they would be charged with a Class 2 felony.
Further, even the possession of tools with intent to commit certain crimes such as burglary as a Class 5 felony. These tools are typically things like crowbars or screwdrivers, however, it is significantly harder to prove intent to commit a crime.
Breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor is also criminalized. If a person breaks and enters a home while another is present with the intent to commit a misdemeanor, then that person has committed breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor. Doing so is a Class 6 felony. If the same crime is committed but the person is armed with a deadly weapon, then the crime becomes a Class 2 felony.
Entering a bank armed with intent to commit larceny is prosecuted as a Class 2 felony. This requires a person to enter the bank with intent to steal from that institution at any time of the day, and it requires them to be armed with a weapon while they are doing so.
Consequences of a Burglary Conviction
Felonies in Virginia are classified from Class 1 to Class 6, with Class 1 being the most severe.
- A Class 2 felony is punishable 20 years to life in prison and a fine of no more than $100,000.
- A Class 3 felony is punishable 5 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
- A Class 5 felony is punishable 1 to 10 years in prison and as much as a $2,500 fine.
- Class 6 felonies are punishable by 1 to 5 years in prison and a fine costing as much as $2,500.
Besides these criminal penalties, a felony conviction will appear background checks for employment and housing and it will forfeit a person’s right to vote and possess or use a firearm. These consequences continue to follow an individual long after they have been released from prison. By working with a local burglary attorney, you may be able to avoid these consequences in the first place.
Hire a Hopewell Burglary Lawyer Today
If you are awaiting trial for a burglary charge, you are at severe risk of extremely serious penalties. Working with a dedicated Hopewell burglary lawyer could help you fight for the best result possible in your case. A local burglary lawyer could be with you through negotiations with prosecutors, as well as defending you at trial. Call right away to get started.
