Lafayette Burglary Lawyer
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Burglary Attorney in Lafayette, LA
Many events in Lafayette, like the Festival International de Louisiane, bring its residents together. However, property crimes like burglary can set residents against each other. It’s important to work with a Lafayette burglary lawyer when facing these accusations. They can defend you against allegations of illegally entering another’s property for criminal purposes.
Experienced Burglary Attorneys in Lafayette, LA
Many people don’t know what their legal options are before contacting Stockstill Defense Firm. We have represented hundreds of people against their criminal defense charges while offering empathetic legal support.
What Is Burglary?
In Louisiana, burglary is considered one step further than entering property without permission. To prove burglary, there must be an intent to steal or commit another crime while on the property.
The legal definition of property applies to all kinds of occupied housing. Even mobile homes in parks, like Lafayette Springs, are protected by criminal law.
Burglary can result in several penalties, such as several years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines. It can be even worse if there are aggravated factors involved, like weapons.
Although the charges for burglary are serious, they are not as severe as robbery. Robbery charges involve actively threatening someone while the crime is committed.
Burglary is also not the same as home invasion. Those charges are more violent in nature. They are pressed when the perpetrator intends to physically hurt the victims or damage their property in some way.
A person can be accused of several types of charges involving illegal entry, each with a different level of penalties. It’s important to speak with an attorney about your specific charges, as they can explain to you what the consequences might be.
Defenses Against Burglary
No motive
There are 37,259 Black/African American residents of Lafayette. These individuals are often assigned charges for simply being in a certain area. It’s possible to argue your innocence if you had no reason to commit burglary.
A valid alibi
Some people are charged with a crime that they had no way of committing. If you can prove that you were out of town or not in the area at the time of the crime, it could exonerate you.
Wrong person
In conditions with poor lighting, it can be tough to determine who actually committed the crime. If the victim cannot identify who the perpetrator actually was, then there might not be enough evidence to convict you.
Illegally obtained evidence
Law enforcement must abide by certain legal rules before they can enter a home to search it. If these rules are not followed, the evidence they obtain from these searches might not be usable in court.
The worth of an item
While the theft of any item is serious, the exact value of it can affect the level of charges. If the value of an item is overestimated, then you may be facing a felony charge when it should be a misdemeanor.
An attorney is experienced in reviewing cases to figure out what type of defense to use. Their work can enable people to maintain their innocence.
Why Hire a Burglary Lawyer?
In Louisiana, burglary laws are changing all the time. In 2024, the state passed a law that categorizes squatters as criminal trespassers. Attorneys keep up with the changes in criminal law regularly, so they know the most recent legal changes associated with your case.
It might be possible for a Lafayette burglary attorney to get your charges lowered to a less severe offense to keep you from facing the highest burglary penalties. Either way, every crime has a range of penalties. An attorney can get your sentence in the lower end of the range rather than the higher end.
In some cases, the case might be dismissed entirely. This can be done through rehabilitation programs or due to the evidence. Some evidence could be acquired illegally. Without that evidence, it might not be possible to prove that you committed the crime. An attorney can challenge the actions of law enforcement when they gather evidence.
Why Choose Us?
The attorneys at Stockstill Defense Firm understand the gravity of criminal defense charges. We know how important it is to beat these charges. That’s why we’re dedicated to every client we serve. We’ve dealt with many different cases over our decades of experience. We can put this experience to work for you.
FAQs
What Is the Penalty for Burglary in Lafayette?
The penalty for burglary in Lafayette varies based on the context of the crime. Some crimes result in smaller sentences, while others might result in years or even decades in prison. They might also include a fine. Aggravating factors, like the presence of a weapon during the burglary, can increase the penalty.
What Are the Types of Burglary?
The two main types of burglary are simple and aggravated burglary. Simple burglary involves illegally entering a space while planning to steal something. It becomes aggravated if the crime becomes violent. This includes carrying a weapon while committing a crime. There are different penalties for certain locations, like pharmacies or residences.
What Makes Burglary Different From Robbery in Lafayette?
Burglary is different from robbery in Lafayette. They are considered two separate charges. Robbery is generally more serious because it requires the defendant to have threatened the victim to give them their property. Burglary does not require contact with the victim, and it could even just involve breaking and entering.
What Do I Do After Receiving a Burglary Charge?
After receiving a burglary charge, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Limit your conversations with law enforcement. Follow the directions of your attorney, as their counsel can improve your chances of having a stronger case. An attorney can create a defense strategy for your case that can greatly improve the outcome.
Fight False Accusations
There are 61,175 housing units in Lafayette. While some of these are burgled each year, people are sometimes accused without reliable evidence. To fight your burglary charge, schedule a consultation with Stockstill Defense Firm.
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Your First Step Toward Building a Strong Defense.