Burglary is considered a very serious crime in New Jersey because the facts of burglary cases usually involve the invasion of a home or business establishment of another person. Burglary charges in Atlantic City, Margate City, Mullica, Buena Vista, Egg Harbor City, or Galloway can carry serious potential penalties including jail time. Additionally, if the defendant was allegedly carrying a firearm while committing burglary or immediately after the alleged crime, the Graves Act dictates mandatory jail time without parole and often without the possibility of early release. The complexity of the legal framework governing prosecution and sentencing of burglary crime in New Jersey makes it essential to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney if you are faced with burglary charges, who can aggressively combat the charges against you and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. At the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our highly skilled and knowledgeable attorneys have years of experience defending burglary charges, and we can often achieve results such as a downgrade in your charges, favorable plea bargain, or dismissal of charges.
New Jersey Burglary Laws
Since burglary is a serious criminal offense in New Jersey and can result in stiff penalties, it is crucial to work with an attorney who is seasoned in defending burglary charges. Attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall handle matters in Atlantic City, Mays Landing, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township, Hamilton Township, and throughout Atlantic County. Our criminal defense lawyers have extensive experience handling a wide variety of burglary matters.
New Jersey law defines the offense of Burglary as follows:
A person is guilty of burglary if, with purpose to commit an offense therein he:
- Enters a research facility, structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion thereof unless the structure was at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter; or
- Surreptitiously remains in a research facility, structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion thereof knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so.
(N.J.S.A. § 2C:18-2(a))
Additionally, penalties can be increased if the alleged offense is serious enough to be escalated to a second-degree crime, which is the case under the following circumstances:
. . . if in the course of committing the offense [or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission], the actor:
- Purposely, knowingly or recklessly inflicts, attempts to inflict or threatens to inflict bodily injury on anyone; or
- Is armed with or displays what appear to be explosives or a deadly weapon.
(N.J.S.A. § 2C:18-2(b))
Penalties can include 3-5 years of jail time, escalated to 5-10 years of jail time if the crime is found to be a second-degree offense. Therefore, in order to avoid or minimize these serious penalties and their impact on your life, you will need an experienced and knowledgeable defense attorney to effectively handle your case and negotiate the best possible outcome for you. In addition to unparalleled skill and experience, many of our criminal defense lawyers are also highly familiar with the ins and outs of the criminal justice system in New Jersey, since many of our attorneys have also worked as prosecutors in the past. Our defense team is well prepared to expertly advocate on your behalf and carefully navigate the legal system in Absecon, Hamilton, Margate City, Hammonton, or Northfield to reach the best possible outcome for you. We are often successful in reducing potential penalties or avoiding convictions entirely. Working with a criminal defense team that knows the system and has years of experience is particularly important in the scheme of New Jersey burglary offenses, where early release and parole can be barred by law.
Brigantine NJ Burglary Criminal Attorney
If you have been arrested or charged with a burglary offense or a theft crime such as robbery or credit card fraud in Atlantic County, please call us for a free consultation. Our powerful criminal defense team will provide personal attention for your case as well as expert guidance on how we can navigate your case to reach the best possible result. Call us at 855-450-8310 or e-mail us to arrange your free consultation today.
