When you are facing burglary charges, you have the right to defend yourself against these claims and call witnesses to testify on your behalf. Instead of handling the criminal defense trial and negotiations on your own, consider the benefits of working with a seasoned attorney.
At Parks Zeigler, PLLC, we care about protecting your rights and devote much of our practice to helping people accused of crimes. Our well-respected theft attorneys have spent years advocating for those accused of breaking the law. A Chesapeake burglary lawyer at our office can learn more about the situation you are in and craft an appropriate legal strategy to help.
Virginia Code §§ 18.2-89 through 18.2-94 defines burglary as breaking into someone’s dwelling to commit a crime. The Virginia Code classifies burglary charges in different ways based on things like:
For example, someone may commit a burglary when they break into an occupied house at any time of day to carry out a misdemeanor. When someone goes into a house at night to set it on fire, this may be a statutory burglary, which is a felony. When the police find tools the person intended to use to carry out a burglary, they may charge the person with a felony.
It is beneficial to work with a Chesapeake lawyer when facing burglary charges because there are many different rules and exceptions. We can review the evidence the government is using to prosecute and use this information to find possible defenses.
Should the government win its case and you receive a burglary conviction, you may face prison time and have to pay court fines and fees. How long of a sentence you need to serve depends on various factors, such as the severity of the charge.
For example, under Va. Code § 18.2-10, a Class 2 felony burglary conviction may result in prison time between 20 years to life. When the court decides you are guilty of a Class 6 felony, the sentence could be up to five years. The fines for burglary convictions can be more than $100,000.
A felony conviction can greatly impact your ability to work, vote, take out a loan, or engage in other areas of everyday life. Work with a reputable attorney in Chesapeake who can fight against burglary charges. We can find evidence to use in your favor or talk with the prosecution to work out a fair plea deal.
Going through a criminal trial and negotiating with the government can add a lot of stress to your life. On top of worrying about the outcome and, in some cases, being stuck in jail while you await trial, you have to figure out how to request evidence and what to do with it when you have it.
Our law firm understands the struggles you may be facing when the government accuses you of breaking into someone’s house. We are here to help you through this and fight for your rights. Contact a Chesapeake burglary lawyer at Parks Zeigler, PLLC, to schedule a consultation.
With an office near Town Center, Virginia Beach and a second location beside the Chesapeake courthouse, our team provides quality legal representation across the entire Hampton Roads Area.
Parks Zeigler, PLLC – Attorneys At Law
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