Burglary
Integrity. Accountability. Experience.
Bellevue Burglary Attorneys
Accused of Breaking and Entering in Bellevue?
Burglary, otherwise known as “breaking and entering,” is a serious offense in Washington State. The law does not treat these charges lightly, as the crime of burglary involves illegal entrance and other crimes. As such, you can expect prosecutors to work diligently to convict you of burglary as well as other offenses you allegedly committed while you were on the reported victim’s property.
That said, burglary is defined as unlawfully entering or remaining on someone’s property with the intent to commit a crime against a person or their property. For these reasons, burglary charges tend to be accompanied by other charges. This is because a person who commits burglary already has the intent to commit a crime, and many times, their intentions turn into actions. Thus, the person would have committed both burglary and their intended crime, hence why we said burglary is generally charged in addition to other crimes that occurred on the victim’s property.
With this in mind, we strongly encourage you to retain powerhouse legal defense from our Bellevue burglary lawyers. With 40 collective years of experience and a track record for successful case outcomes, you can rest assured that you are in good hands at Veitch Ault Defense.
Is Burglary a Felony in Washington State?
Burglary is a felony in the state of Washington, with the exception of making or having burglary tools, which is a gross misdemeanor. Depending on the circumstances of the alleged crime, you could be looking at class B felony charges or class A felony charges for burglary in Washington. To give you a better idea, see the degrees of burglary below:
- Burglary in the first degree: First-degree burglary, or “burglary 1,” occurs when a person unlawfully enters or remains on someone else’s property with the intent to commit a crime against such person or their property while armed with a deadly weapon. Further, the deadly weapon requirement isn’t necessary if an assault occurs instead. Burglary 1 in Washington State is a class A felony punishable by up to a maximum life sentence and a $50,000 fine.
- Residential burglary: The elements of residential burglary include entering or remaining in another person’s dwelling (other than a vehicle) with intent to commit a crime against such person or their property. Residential burglary in Washington State is a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
- Burglary in the second degree: Second-degree burglary, or “burglary 2,” in Washington State is committed when a person unlawfully enters or remains on someone else’s property (that is NOT a dwelling or vehicle) with the intent to commit a crime against such person or their property. Burglary 2 in Washington State is also a class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Unlike burglary 1, however, burglary 2 doesn’t involve a deadly weapon or assault, and the property that was burglarized is neither a home nor a car.
- Making or having burglar tools: This crime generally occurs when a person either makes, causes to be made, or possesses an item with the intent to use it for burglary or allows someone else to use it for burglary. Specifically, “any engine, machine, tool, false key, picklock, bit, nippers, or implement adapted, designed, or commonly used for the commission of burglary under circumstances” will be considered burglar tools. Making or having burglar tools is a mere gross misdemeanor in WA punishable up to a maximum of 364 days in jail and a $5000 fine.
Why Choose Our Burglary Attorneys?
As you can see from the penalties above, you could lose your rights, freedom, reputation, and peace of mind upon a burglary conviction. Getting a felony burglary charge in Washington State can derail the life you’ve worked so hard building and tarnish your good name for a long time, if not permanently. Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, fight for the freedom you deserve with the help of our Bellevue burglary defense lawyers at Veitch Ault Defense.
We bring a range of advantages and benefits to the table for our clients, including:
- 40+ years of combined legal experience
- Free initial consultations
- Honest and straightforward communication
- A history of successfully defending criminal cases
- Award-winning team
- Unwavering dedication to providing premium levels of advocacy
- Fierce representation and close guidance every step of the way
We welcome you to get in touch with our firm online or at 425-452-1600 to discuss your situation and learn how we can help!
Contact us today for a free consultation and find out how we can help.
Client Reviews
Contact Us
Why Choose Our Firm?
Selected as Super Lawyer for the past 7 years in a row
Successful Defense of Hundreds of DUI Cases
7 years as Super Lawyer
NHTSA training in both DWI Detection/Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (FST) along with Advanced Roadside Impairment Detection Enforcement (ARIDE)
Your First Initial Consultation Is Free
Dedicated to the Highest Level of Advocacy on Behalf of Their Clients
Each client is given their attorney’s personal cell phone # and can reach out at any time
We Have Successfully Defended Hundreds of DUI Cases
Reach Out to Us as Soon as Possible to Get the Best Solution For Your Case
Contact Us Today
Get Started with a Free Consultation
