When you are arrested for burglary, your life can change in an instant. There are many circumstances that can lead someone to committing a burglary, but just because you were arrested for it does not mean you should necessarily be convicted. If you are facing a burglary charge, contact a Los Angeles burglary defense attorney right away.

At the Law Offices of William Kroger we are committed to protecting the legal rights of our clients and ensuring that they receive the best possible representation. Call us today for a free consultation at 323-655-5700.

What is Burglary in California?

Burglary usually conjures up the image of a masked individual breaking into someone’s home, but it can also be a break-in to a commercial building. California Penal Code Section 459 PC defines burglary as the entering of specific structures with the intent to commit theft or a felony inside.

In Los Angeles, burglary is broken down into two criminal offenses: first-degree burglary and second-degree burglary. The two are mainly differentiated by the type of property that is broken into.

What is First Degree Burglary?

First-degree burglar, also called residential burglary, occurs on the entry of:

• An inhabited dwelling house.
• Certain inhabited vessels and floating homes.
• A trailer coach.
• The inhabited portion of any other building.

Inhabited places are still considered to be inhabited if their occupants left the premises solely because of a natural or other disaster.

First degree burglary is committed even if nothing is taken, because the crime occurs at the moment one enters the residence with the required intent.

Second Degree Burglary

Second-degree burglary is any burglary that is not first-degree burglary. This includes structures such as:

• Store, warehouse, or shop.
• Mill, barn, or stable.
• Tent.
• Locked vehicle.
• Railcar.
• Locked or sealed cargo container.

Second degree burglary also occurs at the moment of entry, whether or not anything is taken.

In order to be found guilty of either first or second-degree burglary, the prosecutor has to have enough evidence to prove both your actions and your intent. Just because someone enters a residence or a store doesn't mean they intend to steal what is inside. Statements made to police, your prior criminal history, witness testimony, and other evidence can prove or disprove intent. An experienced Los Angeles burglary defense attorney will examine the evidence in your case and help defend you in court.

What is the Penalty for a California Burglary Conviction?

The penalties for a conviction for burglary under the California Penal Code depend on whether you have been charged with first-degree burglary or second-degree burglary. First-degree burglary is always considered a felony, but second-degree burglary is a “wobbler,” which means it can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor.

First-Degree Burglary Penalties

A conviction for first-degree or residential burglary carries a penalty of:

• 2, 4, or 6 years in California state prison, and;
• A maximum fine of $10,000.

A conviction for first-degree burglary also counts as a “strike” under California's Three Strikes law.

Second-Degree Burglary Penalties

Second-degree burglary generally carries less severe penalties than a first-degree burglary conviction. It is up to the prosecutor to decide if a second-degree burglary will be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor.

Felony second-degree burglary carries a potential state prison sentence of 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years. It also carries a maximum fine of $10,000.

Misdemeanor second-degree burglary carries a county jail sentence of up to 1 year. It also carries a maximum fine of up to $1,000.

How can a Los Angeles Burglary Attorney Help Me?

An experienced burglary defense attorney serving Los Angeles knows that while every case is different, there are some common legal defenses to a burglary charge. At Kroger Law Group, we understand that every element of the burglary charge must be examined to find the best defense for your unique case. These are some of the arguments that have been successful in other cases:

• There was no intent to commit a crime at the time of entry.
• You believed the property was yours, so you had no intent to steal.
• The structure entered was not inhabited, so no first-degree burglary occurred.
• The structure entered did not meet the requirements of first or second-degree burglary.
• Someone else committed the burglary.

At Kroger Law Group we can get started on your defense as soon as possible. In addition to these burglary defenses, we also examine every case to protect your rights. In many cases, we can start negotiating with the prosecutor before they decide whether to charge your case as a felony or misdemeanor.

The Top 3 Questions People Ask About Burglary in California

Here are three of the most common questions people have about burglary in California.

What is the Difference Between Burglary and Robbery?

It's a classic movie scene: a young woman comes home to find her door cracked open and her apartment torn apart. She sees the TV is missing, and she screams: “I was robbed!” The thing is, she wasn't robbed. But shouting “I was burglarized!” doesn't have the same ring to it.

Robbery is the taking of property from someone else against their will using force or fear. Burglary is different from robbery in three crucial ways:

• Burglary doesn't have to involve another person. Robbery does.
• Burglary doesn't require a taking. Robbery does.
• Robbery can be committed entirely outside. Burglary requires a structure.

What is the Difference Between Burglary and Larceny?

You may have noticed that one way to commit burglary is to enter a structure with the intent to commit larceny.

Generally speaking, Larceny in California is committed when you move and take possession of the personal property of another with the intent to deprive them of the property. Burglary is different from larceny in three important ways:

• Burglary doesn't have to involve another person. Larceny does.
• Burglary doesn't require that you take possession or move any property. Larceny does.
• Burglary is completed by entering the structure. Larceny is completed by taking possession of and moving the property.

Can I be Convicted of Burglary if I Didn't Steal Anything?

Yes! You can be convicted of burglary without taking anything. Even if all you did was crack open a window and reach into a house before you were caught. Even if you changed your mind and didn't touch anything else. The crime was committed when you opened the window and put your arm inside.

Let a Dedicated Los Angeles Burglary Defense Attorney Fight for You

If you are charged with a burglary you are facing serious jail time or up to 6 years in prison. That is not a fight you want to go into alone. If you have been accused of burglary, reach out to an experienced burglary attorney serving Los Angeles.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of William Kroger are here to help with your California burglary charge so you can get back on track with your life. With our experience defending burglary and other serious charges, you may be able to avoid jail time and put this incident behind you for good. Call us today for a free consultation at 323-655-5700.