A burglary conviction in Pomona can have serious impacts on your life. You could face fines and a lengthy period of incarceration if you are charged with first-degree or second-degree burglary. For this reason, it’s important that you get professional help on your side as quickly as possible.
The team at the Simmrin Law Group can begin working on your case right away. We can take steps to defend you in and out of the courtroom. You can contact our burglary lawyers in Pomona today so we can work to resolve the charges you are facing in your favor.
Make Sure You Understand Burglary Charges in Pomona
California Penal Code Section 459 is used to prosecute the act of burglary. This legal code also provides us with a definition of burglary. You could face burglary charges if you are accused of:
- Entering a room, building, structure, or locked vehicle
- With the intention of committing any felony OR
- With the intention of committing grand or petty theft
Note that this definition is very broad. Based on PC 459, you can be charged with burglary even if you do not:
- Break into a structure
- Steal anything from a structure or vehicle
- Successfully carry out a criminal act
A criminal defense lawyer in Pomona can help you handle this serious charge. Let us go over your specific legal needs so we can construct a personalized defense designed to meet your needs.
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving Pomona, call (310) 896-2723
Types of Burglary Charges Used in California
There are two major charges used to prosecute acts of burglary in Pomona. You could end up charged with:
First-Degree or Residential Burglary
First-degree burglary (also called residential burglary) is the most serious charge used to prosecute burglary. You can be charged with first-degree burglary if you enter a residence to commit petty theft or a felony. Note that, for the purposes of burglary charges, hotel rooms are considered residences in Pomona.
Second-Degree or Commercial Burglary
You could face second-degree (or commercial) burglary charges if you are accused of entering a place of business to commit petty theft or a felony. Commercial burglary is generally not prosecuted as harshly as a residential burglary in Pomona.
A Note on Shoplifting
Note that commercial burglary charges are often confused with shoplifting charges. If you enter a business while it is operational to take products, you could be charged with shoplifting. Commercial burglary charges are more likely to be used if you enter the building outside of business hours.
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Outcomes of Burglary Cases in Pomona
You may be wondering about the penalties for first- and second-degree burglary charges in Pomona. You can face a number of serious penalties if you are convicted in the court system. Depending upon your situation, you could be:
- Incarcerated for up to six years
- Fined up to $10,000
You should be aware that commercial burglary may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. A residential burglary will always be treated as a felony, leading to harsher repercussions for a conviction. Get help handling any burglary charge by contacting a property crimes lawyer in Pomona today.
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You Can Build a Defense for Burglary Charges
The severity of a burglary charge can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, you can get help handling these charges by contacting legal professionals immediately after an arrest. The team at the Simmrin Law Group can get to work for you today. We may be able to show that:
You Were Falsely Accused of Burglary
Sometimes, mistakes are made during the legal process. You could be mistaken for someone else and charged with burglary or evidence could be improperly leveraged against you. Let your burglary lawyer go over the facts about your case to help you deal with false allegations.
You Did Not Intend to Commit a Felony or Petty Theft
You should only be convicted of burglary if you entered a property with the express intention to commit petty theft or a felony. If you lacked this intent, you could avoid a burglary conviction. Note that you might still face trespassing charges for entering someone’s property without their permission.
There Is Not Enough Evidence Against You
In some cases, the professionals at the Simmrin Law Group can work to block evidence against you. Removing evidence weakens the prosecution’s case. Sometimes, this can be enough to get your charges reduced or even dismissed entirely.
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Contact a Pomona Burglary Lawyer to Get Help
Speaking with the professionals right away after you are arrested can improve your odds of beating a burglary charge in Pomona. The team at the Simmrin Law Group is standing by to offer you the assistance you need. Speak with our burglary lawyers in Pomona today to get a FREE case evaluation.
You can reach us by calling (310) 896-2723 or filling out our online contact form.
Call or text (310) 896-2723 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form