Call The Former Prosecutors & Skilled Attorneys At Our Mount Holly Law Firm If You Have Been Charged With Burglary in Burlington County
The offense known as burglary is often misunderstood by those charged in Burlington and elsewhere in New Jersey. It applies to any break in for the purpose of committing a criminal offense including not only a residence or place of business but also unauthorized entry into a car, truck or motor vehicle. You should also know that burglary is always a felony offense that must be handled at the Burlington County Superior Court in Mt. Holly. So whether you broke into a truck in Willingboro to steal tools, a professional office in Riverside to commit a theft of computers, a house in Evesham to acquire cash and jewelry, or a car to take change, the offense will have to be dealt with at the county courthouse which is located in Mount Holly as burglary is always an indictable crime of at least the third degree. Our team of criminal attorneys can help you defend any N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2 charge in Burlington County. The former prosecutors and attorneys at the firm have handled hundreds, if not thousands, of breaking and entering offenses over the last twenty years. An attorney who is well equipped to challenge the charge is available now by calling our Mt. Laurel Office at 856-234-8900. Initial consultations with our lawyers are free.
Our Mount Holly criminal lawyers defend burglary charges throughout Burlington County, including 2C:18-2 offenses arising in:
- Evesham Township
- Mount Laurel
- Pemberton
- Willingboro
- Medford
- Bordentown
- Florence
- Burlington Township
- Mount Holly
- Maple Shade
- Moorestown
- Delran
- Cinnaminson
- Lumberton
Mt. Holly NJ Burglary Charge
N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2 is the New Jersey Burglary Law and results in either a second degree or third degree crime depending on the circumstances of the break in. An individual commits this offense if, for the purpose of committing some form of criminal offense, they: (1) enter a structure without a license or privilege (a.k.a. unauthorized); (2) remain in a structure even though they know they lack a license or privilege; or (3) trespass on utility company property notwithstanding no trespassing signs or notices. Burglary is a second degree crime if the accused threatens or inflicts bodily injury or is armed or displays what appears to be a weapon.
- Definition of “Structure” Under 2C:18-2. The term structure is interpreted broadly and includes a building, room, car, truck, airplane, trailer, etc.
- When Is Entry Unauthorized? There need not be any breaking for the entry to be unauthorized. Any instance where someone enters a structure without a license to do so can result in a violation.
- State of Mind Required. In order for a N.J.S.A. 2C:18-2 violation to arise, the accused must possess the intention or purpose to commit an offense once inside the structure.
- Material Elements of Offense. There are four elements to this charge that the prosecutor must establish including that the accused entered, a structure or research facility, that was not open to the public or licensed/privileged for entry, and the defendant entered for the purpose of committing an offense.
Penalties for a Pemberton NJ Burglary Offense
Second degree burglary is sometimes referred to as a home invasion and results in extreme penalties that prosecutors a quick to enforce. The prison term is 5-10 years and the No Early Release Act applies. What this means is that you will have to serve at least 85% of the imposed jail sentence before you can even be considered for parole if you are convicted of burglary in the second degree or home invasion.. Since this grade of burglary can also involve a firearm, the parole ineligibility parameters of the Graves Act may also apply. The fine for this second degree crime can reach $150,000. Third degree burglary carries up to 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000.
Mt. Laurel Criminal Attorneys Experienced in Burglary Offenses
Burglary is an offense that prosecutors take very seriously. The are many reasons for the hardline that can be taken including the fact that break ins have the potential to escalate to much more violent encounters when there is an innocent occupant in the structure or someone returns while the offense is being committed. It is certainly wise for anyone charged with burglary to contact our Mt. Laurel firm for assistance. One of our former prosecutors can provide not only the knowledge but the finesse needed to achieve a favorable outcome to your Mt. Holly, Pemberton, Burlington City or Cinnaminson charge. Contact our Mount Holly Office at (609) 491-2110 now for immediate assistance.
