Ringgold Burglary Lawyer

When individuals break into a private property with the intention to commit a crime, they may face burglary charges. A burglary conviction carries stringent penalties with lifelong consequences. Besides the potential jail time and steep fees, the party will have the conviction on their permanent record. Criminal convictions can make your life extremely difficult. You could have problems getting employment, firearms, licensing, particular loans, and more.

If you are facing charges, it is urgent that you contact a Ringgold burglary lawyer with extensive experience. A knowledgeable theft attorney could help plan your defense and protect your rights through the process.

What are the Degrees of Burglary?

The distinctions between the different degrees of burglary usually depend on how and where the defendant commits the alleged crime. For instance, an individual might face burglary charges for entering a property to steal goods, but the court could also charge them with burglary for entering a property to commit assault, kidnapping, or another violent crime. The state’s burglary laws distinguish between three degrees of burglary as the following:

• First-degree burglary: entering a dwelling with the intent to commit a felony inside
• Second-degree burglary: similar to the first-degree charge but also applies to areas other than private homes and properties
• Smash and Grab burglary: entering a retail establishment with intent to commit theft, stealing more than $500 worth of property

Any person in Ringgold facing any of the above burglary charges should contact a dedicated lawyer to go over their options and begin planning their defense.

State Burglary Statute

Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-7-1 and 2 dictate that any person is guilty of committing burglary when they enter a property intending to commit theft or a felony, without permission from the property owner.

The code requires two elements to exist for the crime to qualify. The defendant must have knowingly unlawfully entered or remained in a protected structure, and they must also have had the intent to commit a crime. Protected properties can include vacant dwellings, buildings, train cars, automobiles, boats, or any building or habitation that people use as a place of residence.

Potential Penalties for a Conviction in Ringgold

Burglary is a serious offense that remains on a person’s permanent record if the court finds them guilty. However, there are certain elements that the state will need to prove in court. Working with a seasoned attorney in Ringgold familiar with burglary law could help ensure the defendant’s case reaches the best potential outcome.

• First-degree burglary is a felony indictment on the defendant’s permanent record and punishable by up to 20 years in prison
• Second-degree burglary is a felony that is punishable by up to 5 years in prison
• Smash and Grab burglary is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines

Importantly, defendants with four or more burglary convictions of any degree may not have any portion of their sentences suspended.

Schedule a Consultation With a Ringgold Burglary Attorney Today

Burglary offenses carry harsh penalties, but a Ringgold burglary lawyer could aggressively defend you during the trial and help protect your rights and freedoms.

Call today to discuss your charges and begin preparing the best possible defense for your burglary case.