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Burglary is a serious criminal offense in Virginia which, depending on the type of burglary, can carry up to a life sentence in the penitentiary.
Regardless of the specific type of burglary charge, it is important that you find an attorney who you can trust to zealously advocate for your rights. You should find an attorney who has experience handling burglary cases and who has no reservation or hesitation to take a case to trial should the facts merit trial. Even if the deck is stacked against you, contact us and we will attempt to create a unique resolution with the prosecutor for your particular circumstances that places you in the best possible position given the nature of the allegations against you.
Burglary is generally defined as the entering of another person's home with the intent to commit a crime. Burglary is a class 3 Felony, which means it is a felony offense that is punishable by 5 to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.00. If the person being accused of burglary did so with a "deadly weapon", he will be charged with a Class 2 Felony, which is felony offense punishable by 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.
Outside of the general burglary statute, there are several different variations of burglary, each of which is described in more detail below:
What should I do if I am charged with Burglary in Virginia?
Burglary is a very serious offense and carries with it years of potential incarceration. It is critical that you have knowledgeable and aggressive legal representation from the outset of the process. Please call Noorishad Law, P.C. today at 703-542-4500 to schedule an appointment with Mr. Noorishad to discuss your particular case and potential defenses you may have in fighting your charges.
Regardless of the specific type of burglary charge, it is important that you find an attorney who you can trust to zealously advocate for your rights. You should find an attorney who has experience handling burglary cases and who has no reservation or hesitation to take a case to trial should the facts merit trial. Even if the deck is stacked against you, contact us and we will attempt to create a unique resolution with the prosecutor for your particular circumstances that places you in the best possible position given the nature of the allegations against you.
Burglary is generally defined as the entering of another person's home with the intent to commit a crime. Burglary is a class 3 Felony, which means it is a felony offense that is punishable by 5 to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.00. If the person being accused of burglary did so with a "deadly weapon", he will be charged with a Class 2 Felony, which is felony offense punishable by 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.
Outside of the general burglary statute, there are several different variations of burglary, each of which is described in more detail below:
- Entering a dwelling house, with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson (Va. Code 18.2-90): If any person at night enters without breaking or during the day breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in a dwelling house with intent to commit murder, rape, robbery or arson, he shall be deemed guilty of statutory burglary, which is a Class 3 Felony, which is punishable by 5 to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $100,000.00. However, if the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he will be guilty of a Class 2 Felony, which is punishable by 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.
- Entering dwelling house, etc., with intent to commit larceny, assault and battery or other felony (Va. Code 18.2-91): If any person at night enters without breaking or during the day breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in a dwelling house with intent to commit larceny, assault and battery, or any felony not described in 18.2-90 (above), he shall be deemed guilty of statutory burglary, which is a punishable by imprisonment for not less than 1 or more than 20 years and a fine of up to $2,500.00, either or both. However, if the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he will be guilty of a Class 2 Felony, which is punishable by 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.
- Breaking and entering dwelling house with intent to commit other misdemeanor (Va. Code 18.2-92): If any person at night enters without breaking or during the day breaks and enters or enters and conceals himself in a dwelling house with intent to commit any misdemeanor (except assault and battery or trespass), he shall be deemed guilty of a Class 6 Felony, which is punishable by 1 to 5 years in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.00. However, if the person was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of such entry, he will be guilty of a Class 2 Felony, which is punishable by 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.
- Entering bank, armed, with intent to commit larceny (Va. Code 18.2-93): If any person, armed with a deadly weapon, enters any banking house or institution with the intent to commit larceny of money, bonds, notes, or other evidence of debt, he shall be guilty of a Class 2 Felony, which is punishable by 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.00.
- Possession of burglarious tools (Va. Code 18.2-94): It is unlawful for any person to have in their possession any tools, implements or outfit, with intent to commit burglary, robbery or larceny. A violation of this law is a Class 5 felony, which is punishable by up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.00.
What should I do if I am charged with Burglary in Virginia?
Burglary is a very serious offense and carries with it years of potential incarceration. It is critical that you have knowledgeable and aggressive legal representation from the outset of the process. Please call Noorishad Law, P.C. today at 703-542-4500 to schedule an appointment with Mr. Noorishad to discuss your particular case and potential defenses you may have in fighting your charges.