Baltimore Burglary Defense Attorneys

Lawyers Defending Against Burglary Charges in Baltimore, MD

Burglary is a crime that is taken seriously by law enforcement officers and prosecutors in Maryland. Citizens want to feel safe and secure in their homes, and they have a financial interest in recovering or being compensated for anything broken or stolen during these crimes. Often, victims may feel personally violated when they are victims of a burglary, and they want to be highly involved in the investigation and prosecution of the alleged offender.

The persistent involvement of victims puts pressure on the state to prosecute these crimes aggressively and pursue harsh sentences. This is one of the many reasons it is important to hire an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney immediately if charged with a serious felony such as burglary. At Silverman Thompson, we can provide the legal help needed to address these charges correctly and defend against a conviction.

Degrees of Burglary in Maryland

In Maryland, the burglary statute breaks down the crime into four categories or degrees, focusing in large part on the intent of the alleged burglar and the nature of the building or property that was allegedly broken and/or entered upon. The statute contains many technicalities that could make the difference between going to jail for up to 20 years or going home.

Each degree of burglary involves different elements, but most sections require what is called "breaking and entering." This breaking and entering can be of a house, storehouse, or yard. A common misconception is that a door, window, or other entranceway must be physically broken to gain entry for there to be a "breaking." This simply is not the case. The mere opening of an unlocked door or window can be enough to satisfy the breaking element of the statute.

The most serious burglary offense is first-degree burglary, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in jail. A first-degree burglary is committed when a person breaks and enters another person's home with the specific intent to commit a theft or a crime of violence, such as robbery or rape.

A person may be charged with second-degree burglary if they are accused of breaking and entering into a building that is considered to be a storehouse while intending to commit arson, theft, or a violent crime. A few examples of storehouses include construction shelters, barns, stables, storerooms, public buildings, or trailers.

Third-degree burglary charges may apply if a person is accused of breaking into someone else's home with the intent to commit any crime, including crimes of violence or theft, as in the case of first-degree burglary. A person who commits a first-degree burglary has, by definition, also committed a third-degree burglary, but a person may commit a third-degree burglary without committing a first-degree burglary, depending on the crime that the person intends to commit.

A fourth-degree burglary is the simple act of being inside a house or storehouse of another person or company without permission. This section of the statute also includes entering someone's yard without permission with the intent to steal from that yard or the attached house. Being in possession of burglar's tools, such as a crowbar, picklock, or jack, with the intent to use those tools to break into someone's home, a storehouse, or even a car is also criminalized under the fourth-degree burglary statute.

Burglary investigations can be complicated, and they often involve scientific evidence, including fingerprints, DNA, and cellphone technology. This evidence needs to be thoroughly analyzed, and expert witnesses may be required to properly prepare a defense. This is why it is imperative to hire a highly experienced criminal law attorney immediately upon being charged with a serious crime such as burglary.

Contact Our Baltimore, Maryland Burglary Defense Lawyers

To get the defense you need in a case involving charges of burglary or other related crimes, reach out to the team at Silverman Thompson. Contact our Baltimore burglary attorneys at 410-385-2225 to set up a free consultation with an aggressive criminal defense trial lawyer.