Dallas Burglary Lawyer

Those facing burglary accusations can get help defending their name by contacting a criminal defense lawyer in Dallas to represent their case.

Individuals will be charged with burglary if law enforcement finds evidence of or catches someone in the act of entering someone else’s property without their consent.

Beyond simple trespassing, a person accused of burglarizing will also need to have entered the property with the intention of committing a crime. Home invasion, breaking and entering, and breaking into a vehicle are all common situations where someone can be charged with burglary.

When you want to be proactive with your case, your first step should be to seek out a Dallas burglary lawyer to defend your case. The consequences if you are found guilty will be harsh, but our team at Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C. is fully prepared to fight for your freedom.

Burglary or Criminal Trespass?

A criminal trespass charge is similar to a burglary charge in that it means you are being accused of knowingly entering private property without the permission of the property owner. However, the difference between a criminal trespass and burglary charge is intent. If you were intending to commit a crime when you entered or remained on someone else’s property, a burglary charge is appropriate.

But if you were simply on someone else’s property, you would face criminal trespass charges. In some cases, your attorney may be able to work with the prosecutor to have your burglary charge reduced to a criminal trespass, particularly if we are able to establish your reason for being on private property without permission and that there was no intention of committing a crime.

If we are successful, you’ll be charged with a class B misdemeanor and serve a maximum of 180 days in jail and possibly be ordered to pay fines of up to $2,000. However, accepting a plea bargain isn’t always in your best interests, so we’ll need to learn more about your case to determine which defense will be appropriate for your individual needs.

Being Found Guilty of Burglary

If you are convicted of burglary, the punishment you will face will vary depending on the type of burglary and the crime committed at the time of the burglary.

For instance, if you have been accused of participating in a home invasion, you could be charged with a second- or first-degree felony. Penalties might include a prison sentence as short as two years or as long as a lifetime.

Conversely, if you were accused of burglarizing a place that was not a home, you’ll be charged with a state jail felony, meaning you could spend up to two years in jail and pay fines amounting to $10,000. What’s more, even after you’ve served your time, your criminal record will still show your burglary conviction, which will label you a felon and could prevent you from finding a good job.

Reach Out to a Burglary Lawyer in Dallas

When you’ve been arrested for burglary and need experienced legal help to defend your case, consult with a highly trained Dallas burglary lawyer at Chris Lewis & Associates, P.C.. We have a proven track record of success in burglary cases just like yours. You can schedule your no-cost case review by filling out the online contact form at the bottom of this page or by giving our office a call at 214-665-6930.