Elkton, KY Burglary Lawyer

Elkton, KY Burglary Attorney

Whenever you find yourself facing criminal charges, it is imperative that you get ahead of those charges as soon as you can. The most effective way to do that is by hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can create a sound defense strategy. Burglary charges have the power to cause severe devastation to your life. You could even end up in prison for a long time. If charged, you should reach out to an Elkton, KY burglary lawyer for help.

The legal team behind Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, understands the difficulties of handling burglary charges. After all, the last thing you want is to end up with a criminal record, which will happen if you are convicted. A criminal record will follow you for life and impact the way people perceive you. It will prevent you from getting hired at certain jobs, affect your standing in your community, and even hurt your personal relationships. A lawyer can represent your interests and develop a strong defense for you.

Getting Charged With Burglary in Kentucky

Burglary charges are not uncommon in Kentucky. In a 2023 report from the Kentucky State Police, it was estimated that around 11,000 incidents of burglary were reported throughout the state that year. Many of those alleged burglars took plea deals or were ordered to serve the maximum sentence. Others were able to beat the charges by hiring a burglary lawyer.

If you are struggling with burglary charges, you may want to consider reaching out to an Elkton, KY burglary attorney. Having someone to talk to about the mental and emotional struggles brought on by criminal charges can be beneficial to you in many ways. Generally, your case will be tried in the Todd County Court of Justice.

Kentucky state law describes burglary as the unlawful entry into someone’s residence or business with the intent to commit a crime. It may be common to equate burglary with robbery, but that’s not always the case. Any crime committed in the process of breaking and entering may be considered burglary, including vandalism, assault, and stealing. To be considered burglary, the element of breaking and entering, as well as the intent to commit a crime, must be present.

Burglary charges are split into three distinct degrees in Kentucky. Some degrees have lower penalties than others, but they all result in felony charges and potential prison time. Each level should be taken seriously on its own. Regardless of which degree you are charged with, you should reach out to an experienced burglary lawyer who can fight those charges. Here are the various degrees of burglary charges in Kentucky:

• First-degree burglary: First-degree burglary is generally considered the worst of the three degrees. To be charged with first-degree burglary, you must break into someone’s residence while wielding a deadly weapon and intending to harm somebody. If convicted, you could be looking at a possible prison sentence of up to 20 years as well as significant fines.
• Second-degree burglary: Second-degree burglary is slightly less serious than first-degree burglary but is still a felonious crime. It involves breaking into a residence with the intent to commit a crime but without a weapon or any intent to hurt anyone. Even if you aren’t armed at the time, this is still a very serious crime with a potential prison sentence attached.
• Third-degree burglary: Third-degree burglary is largely considered the weakest of the three degrees, but it still carries a felony charge. This degree involves breaking into a non-residential building, such as a garage or warehouse, with the intent of committing a crime but not hurting anybody. The charges can still be severe, and you will likely end up spending at least a year in prison if convicted.

FAQs About Elkton, KY Burglary Laws

Q: What Types of Evidence Are Usually Associated With Burglary?

A: Many different types of evidence can be associated with a burglary case. Generally, the more evidence you have against you, the harder it may be to succeed in winning your case. Evidence in a burglary case can take the form of:

• Video footage
• GPS data
• Footprints
• Fingerprints
• DNA
• Hair fibers
• Other physical evidence, like tools

You will need to gather as much evidence as you can find that disproves your involvement, which may be hard.

Q: What Class of Felony Is Burglary in Kentucky?

A: The class of felony that burglary is classified as in Kentucky depends entirely on the degree of the crime. The worse the degree is, the heavier the penalties will be. First-degree burglary is a Class B felony. Second-degree burglary is a Class C felony. Third-degree burglary is a Class D felony. Each degree carries a felony charge, which can end up on your criminal record and result in serious prison time.

Q: What Is First-Degree Burglary With a Person Present?

A: First-degree burglary with a person present is a unique situation in which someone commits first-degree burglary, which involves a deadly weapon and an intent to harm, in a structure where someone is present. This person may be a witness, a hostage, a victim, or totally unaware that they are being burgled. Generally, this situation is considered far more serious, as it often results in harm to the present person.

Q: What Does Fourth-Degree Burglary Mean?

A: Fourth-degree burglary is a much lesser crime than the first three degrees. Essentially, it is knowingly breaking into a structure but without any intent to commit a crime. It’s simply breaking and entering into a place you know you’re not supposed to be. It doesn’t extend beyond that. It’s considered a misdemeanor offense in Kentucky, which may result in some minor jail time and a small fine.

Reach Out to an Experienced Elkton, KY Burglary Lawyer Today

The last thing you want is to end up defending yourself against a seasoned prosecutor who’s looking to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Without an experienced burglary lawyer in Elkton, KY, you may end up in a much worse situation and with little hope of beating your charges. A good Elkton, KY Burglary Lawyer can be crucial for avoiding serious penalties.

The legal team behind Michael J. Thompson, Attorney at Law, can put together a strong case, work on a sound defense strategy, and keep your interests protected throughout your case. Contact us to speak with someone on our team about a consultation.