New Jersey Burglary Defense Attorney

New Jersey is notoriously tough in handling its criminal law cases, which can result in devastating penalties if convicted. If you or someone you know has been charged with burglary in Monmouth County, you should enlist the help of someone who thoroughly understands the intricacies of New Jersey crimes. Contact the New Jersey burglary defense lawyers at The Law Office of Jason A. Volet today at (732) 863-5050.

What is the Difference Between Burglary and Other Types of Theft?

Burglary is an indictable crime in the state of New Jersey and a conviction can carry life-changing legal consequences. A main difference between burglary and other types of theft is that a person who commits burglary illegally enters or lingers in some “structure,” like a residence or a business.

Is Burglary Considered a Third-Degree Crime in New Jersey?

Burglary is most often a third-degree crime if the defendant is proven to have only intended to take assets, but it can become a more serious second-degree crime if another intention is proven, such as intent to commit assault.

What Are the Four Elements of a Burglary?

There are four elements that must be established for a person to be convicted of burglary in New Jersey. If any of these elements are absent, you could be freed from charges.

The four elements of a burglary are:

• An actual entry
• Entry was into a “structure”
• Structure was not open to the public
• The person entered with intent to commit a crime

Burglary offenses that don’t have all of these elements often don’t stand up in court. If even one of these elements is missing, an NJ burglary attorney may be able to have your burglary charges completely dismissed.

I was Charged with Burglary in NJ, but I Didn’t Steal Anything

I often meet with people who have been charged with a burglary and the first thing they’ll say to me is: “well, I went into that house but I did not go into that house with the intent to steal anything.” Unfortunately, in New Jersey, that does not make you any less guilty of a burglary. In New Jersey, a burglary is entering somewhere where you are not licensed or privileged to be with the intent to commit a crime once you are inside. What that crime is does not make any difference. It does not have to be a crime to steal. It could be a crime to assault somebody, it could be any number of things as long as there was an intent to commit some crime when you went into a place where you were not supposed to be.

Just because you were found in a place that you were not supposed to be ultimately doesn’t mean that it was a burglary. It could mean that it was a trespass, it could mean that it was something else, it could mean that it was nothing, but it’s important to find an attorney who can explore these different options with you before going to court.

Contact a New Jersey Burglary Defense Lawyer Today

If you or someone you know is facing charges of burglary in Monmouth County, it is important to have a dedicated New Jersey criminal defense lawyer by your side. We are ready to help you with your case all the way to municipal court. To discuss your case with one of the burglary defense attorneys on our legal team, contact the Law Office of Jason A. Volet in Freehold or Neptune today by calling (732) 863-5050.

Visit Our New Jersey Burglary Defense Law Offices