Kent County Burglary Lawyer

If you have been accused of committing burglary, you need to speak with a Kent County burglary lawyer to find out how to best defend yourself in court. While this is a serious charge, the right lawyer can not only put your mind to rest, but they can also put forward the best defense available for your case. When you and your family are concerned about a possible burglary charge, you can try to ease their worry by meeting with an experienced theft attorney.

The state of Michigan does not have a specific burglary statute in its penal code. Instead, the laws are about breaking and entering, home invasions, burglar’s tools, or the circumstances surrounding the burglary. Each charge has its own elements and penalties. Kent County burglary lawyers have seen breaking and entering refer to any person who breaks and enters with the intent to commit a felony or larceny once they have entered the premises. This can occur in any type of premises, including a building, structure, boat, shipping container, factory, or hotel. Even if someone does not break into the structure to enter the premises, it is still a crime. It is also a crime if they enter a public building after having been expressly denied entry.

Home invasions are when an individual breaks and enters into a home without permission from the owner, with the intent to commit a felony, larceny, or assault once inside. If someone is in the home while a someone armed with a dangerous weapon breaks and enters, the individual can be charged with first-degree home invasion offense. This charge can lead to a maximum of twenty years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.

If someone attempts to break and enter into another person’s house, they can be charged with second-degree home invasion charges. They can be charged even if they were unsuccessful in their attempt. The penalty for this crime is a maximum of fifteen years in prison and/or a fine of $3,000.

If someone breaks and enters a home to commit a misdemeanor, they can be charged with third-degree home invasion charges. It is also a third-degree offense when a person breaks and enters a home and violates a probation or parole condition, a bond or bail condition, or a personal protection order. For this crime, the maximum jail sentence is for five years and/or a fine of $2,000.

It may be critical to speak with a Kent County burglary lawyer about other circumstances surrounding a burglary can have an additional charge. If someone uses explosives to break and enter a structure, it is a crime that has a minimum penalty of fifteen years in prison with a maximum sentence of twenty years.

Forcibly opening a coin or deposit box is also a type of burglary that is punishable by six months in prison or a fine up to $750. Similarly, breaking into or entering without breaking a showcase or counter that is outside a building is also a crime. It has the same punishment as breaking into a coin box.

Someone can be charged with possession of burglary tools. This can be a charge by itself or along with other more serious charges. Burglary tools include any tools designed for cutting, burning, or forcing entry into a building, room, safe, or deposit box. This crime is punishable by a maximum of 10 years in prison.

There are several different types of charges associated with burglary. Since most of the charges have potentially serious consequences, getting assistance from a Kent County burglary lawyer can be helpful. Not only will a lawyer help explain the charges to you, but they can also help you defend yourself.