St. Louis Burglary Attorneys
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Helping Protect the Rights of Individuals Facing Burglary Charges
Are you facing burglary charges in St. Louis? A conviction for burglary, no matter the degree, can have a significant impact on your future, such as fewer job opportunities, a tarnished reputation, jail time, and significant fines.
Our lawyers at JMH Law Firm, LLC will fight to protect your future, however. We genuinely believe that everyone deserves fair representation in court and will fight relentlessly on your behalf to have charges minimized or even dropped. Our St. Louis burglary lawyers are well-versed in criminal defense law: We know the techniques that your own case’s prosecutor is likely to utilize against you.
Backed by more than 60 years of experience, our legal team is composed of seasoned negotiators and trial attorneys. Whether your case proceeds to trial or you are considering a plea bargain or compromise, our team can help you weigh your options and make an informed decision about what is best for your case.
Put award-winning skills in your corner. Contact our St. Louis burglary lawyers onlineor call us at (314) 827-6222 today.
What is Burglary?
In the state of Missouri, “burglary” refers to breaking and entering into another person’s property to commit theftand is categorized in either the first or second degree.
A person will be considered guilty of first-degree burglary if they unlawfully entered or unlawfully remained on a property for the express purpose of committing an offense inside that property and, while doing so, engaged in one or more of the following actions:
- Caused physical injury to any non-participant in the crime
- Threatened physical injury to any non-participant
- Carried out the crime in front of a non-participant
- Carried explosives and/or a deadly weapon
Similarly, burglary of the second degree is when a person unlawfully entered or remained in a building to commit an offense but did not commit any of the other actions above.
Kindly note that the state no longer differentiates between burglaries of residential properties and burglaries of businesses and/or other premises.
What Are the Penalties for Burglary Crimes in St. Louis?
First-degree burglary is punished as a class B felony, and second-degree burglary as a class D felony. Therefore, there are different legal penalties for each:
- For burglary of the first degree, you will have to serve no less than five years and no more than 15 years in prison.
- If you are facing second-degree burglary, the court may punish you with up to seven years in prison or a jail sentence of up to one year. What’s more, you may also have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
Other Burglary Offenses
The possession of burglary tools is a punishable offense on its own, per Missouri Revised Statutes § 569.180. However, a person will not be considered guilty of this crime for merely owning the tool, but rather that person will have had to obtain it under the following conditions:
- The person knew the tool could be used to commit burglary; and
- A person, including themselves, will be using that tool to do so.
Per state law, a conviction for the possession of burglary tools is considered a class E felony. As the least serious felony that a person may be charged with, the penalties vary greatly but cannot exceed four years in prison. In some cases, individuals convicted of class E felonies can obtain probation instead of prison time.
Why Choose JMH Law Firm, LLC?
If you are facing charges for a burglary crime, it is wise to work with a skilled legal team that can defend you in court. Unfortunately, a criminal conviction is not free of any long-term ramifications, as it will remain on your criminal record for years to come.
Our attorneys at JMH Law Firm, LLC will make you a priority should you work with us. In fact, we pride ourselves on being accessible and available to our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We also have a track record of success, as evidenced by the acclaim we have earned from our peers, clients, and industry organizations — including the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Super Lawyers® — for our work.
To speak to a St. Louis burglary attorney you can trust to fight for you, call JMH Law Firm, LLC at (314) 827-6222.
