Long Beach Burglary Defense Lawyer

Representing Long Beach, CA, Clients Accused of Burglary

If you or a loved one is accused of burglary in Long Beach, CA, it can easily feel as if the entire criminal justice system is working against you. However, just because the police have arrested you and charged you with burglary does not mean you automatically deserve to be convicted. The right attorney can help you approach your defense with much greater confidence, undermine the prosecution’s evidence, and ultimately guide you to the best possible result in your case.

The Law Offices of Henry Salcido can provide the legal counsel you need when you have been charged with a burglary. As your Long Beach burglary defense attorneys, the team at the Law Offices of Henry Salcido will help you understand the charges you face, their potential penalties, and your available defenses. Our firm has extensive experience navigating the Long Beach, CA, criminal court system. We know the local prosecutors and how they build their cases. We also have the resources you may require for proving that your arrest was wrongful or that the police violated your rights. Whatever your situation entails, the right Long Beach burglary defense attorney on your side will make a significant difference in the outcome of your criminal case.

Why You Need Defense Counsel

Many people make the mistake of believing they can handle self-representation in a criminal case. This is a poor idea, as the average person with no legal training may make critical errors that lead to their conviction. It’s also unwise to assume that a public defender can provide the same level of legal representation as a private Long Beach burglary defense attorney. While most public defenders do their best for their clients and have considerable experience handling criminal defense, they must handle large caseloads, and your public defender may only be able to devote an hour or two per day to handling your case.

A private Long Beach burglary defense attorney can provide more robust legal counsel, ultimately increasing your chances of avoiding conviction in a burglary case. The Law Offices of Henry Salcido believe in comprehensive and client-focused criminal defense representation. Therefore, we will take the time necessary to fully explore all facets of your case and help you determine the best path forward when facing burglary charges in Long Beach, CA.

What Is Burglary?

It’s common for people to conflate burglary with other criminal charges like theft and robbery. However, the California criminal code enforces a strict definition of burglary. For a burglary charge to stick and lead to conviction, the prosecution must prove that a defendant has met the legal criteria for burglary:

• The defendant entered a property or remained on a property to steal valuables from the property.
• The defendant entered the property without the owner’s permission or remained on the property without the owner’s knowledge or consent.
• The defendant took the property owner’s belongings to keep them for themselves or deprive the rightful owner of them.

California criminal law has two different types of burglary: first-degree burglary and second-degree burglary. The main determining factor for first-degree burglary is that the property in question must be a private residence. For example, breaking into someone else’s house to steal items from the property qualifies as first-degree burglary. Second-degree burglary applies to all other types of property, including government buildings, commercial establishments, and privately owned vehicles. Second-degree burglary also includes shoplifting.

Possible Penalties for Burglary in California

When it comes to sentencing upon conviction of burglary in California, it is essential to understand how the state handles “wobblers,” a term used to describe offenses that may qualify as either misdemeanors or felonies depending on the unique details of a case. A conviction of misdemeanor-level burglary can result in up to one year in prison and fines of $1,000 or more. Conviction of burglary at the felony level could lead to up to six years in prison and even more substantial fines.

Prosecutors will carefully examine several facets of your case to determine whether they should pursue misdemeanor or felony charges against you. For example, the value of items stolen, the lengths to which the defendant went to execute the burglary, and whether anyone was injured can all influence the court’s decision. Additionally, if the defendant did injure the victim, damage property, or commit other offenses during the burglary, they could face additional criminal charges for assault, battery, destruction of property, or even terroristic actions depending on the details of their case.

What to Expect From Your Long Beach Burglary Defense Attorney

Defending against burglary charges can be very difficult, especially if you were caught in the act or arrested near the scene of the crime. However, it is possible to avoid conviction or reduce your sentence by working with a good Long Beach, CA, burglary defense lawyer. The standard of proof in any criminal case is guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the burden of proof rests with the prosecution. If the state’s prosecutors cannot successfully prove the necessary elements to substantiate a burglary charge or lack material evidence to convict, their case will fall apart.

Your attorney can also be invaluable in the event you have been wrongfully accused of committing burglary. For example, perhaps you were walking home near the scene of the accident, and police responding to a call from the property owner mistook you for the suspect. Your attorney can help you uncover the exculpatory evidence you need to prove your innocence or establish an airtight alibi. Whatever your burglary case entails, you need legal counsel you can trust to guide you through your case to the best possible result.

The attorneys at the Law Offices of Henry Salcido can provide the defense representation you need when facing burglary charges in Long Beach, CA. We have years of experience helping clients navigate the criminal justice system confidently and can apply this professional experience to your case. Contact the Law Offices of Henry Salcido today to schedule a consultation with a reliable Long Beach burglary defense attorney.