Cleveland Burglary Defense Attorneys
Defense from Burglary Charges in Ohio
If you’ve been arrested or charged with burglary, you need to speak with a Cleveland burglary defense lawyer as soon as possible. Burglary can be charged anywhere between a fourth-degree felony and a second-degree felony, depending on the circumstances presented by the prosecutor. Whatever you’re facing, a felony conviction could result in lengthy prison time as well as lifelong consequences for your housing and employment.
Defendants in your position call Patituce & Associates, LLC. In a system where 95–98% of criminal cases never go to trial, our firm has tried more than 200 cases before a jury. We have the resources to fiercely advocate for our clients’ needs, refusing to settle or take a plea deal when their best interests lie in going to trial. Because we’re former prosecutors, we know where to look for weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, giving you the best chance of success. If you’ve been charged with burglary, contact our Cleveland burglary defense attorney.
In other words, we’re seasoned trial lawyers with proven results. For people who want a fighting chance in court, Patituce & Associates, LLC is the firm to call at (440) 771-1175.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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What Is Burglary Under Ohio Law?
Burglary is defined in §2911.12 of the Ohio Revised Code (ORC). We’ll summarize what the law says here: burglary is when a person forces, lies, or sneaks their way into any potentially occupied building (or section of a building) with the intent to commit a crime. Note that while burglary is considered a theft crime, you needn’t actually steal anything.
The severity of a burglary charge depends on three factors:
- If someone is in the building when it’s broken or snuck into
- If the building is someone’s home (either permanent or temporary)
- If the prosecutor can prove the defendant intended to commit a crime
If someone is accused of breaking into someone’s home while an occupant is “likely to be present,” they’ll be charged with a fourth-degree felony, but only if prosecutors can’t prove the defendant was going to commit a crime. However, if someone is accused of breaking into an unoccupied building with the intent to commit a crime, they’ll be charged with a third-degree felony. But if someone is accused of breaking into a home or an occupied building and the prosecution can convince a jury they intended to commit a crime, then they’ll be charged with a second-degree felony.
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What Are the Penalties for Burglary in Ohio?
The penalties will depend on the charges. As we noted above, burglary can be a felony of the fourth, third, or second degree. Prior convictions will also affect sentencing.
That means the penalties for burglary could be:
- 4th-degree: 6–18 months of prison and a $5,000 fine
- 3rd-degree: 9–36 months of prison and a $10,000 fine
- 2nd-degree: 2–8 years of prison and a $15,000 fine
- 2nd-degree with prior convictions: 12–18 years of prison and a $15,000 fine
Keep in mind that the prosecutors don’t care about intent or knowledge. If someone is charged with breaking into an occupied building with the intent to commit a crime, even if the defendant didn’t know it was occupied and had no actual intent, then they could be hit with a life-changing sentence.
Call Burglary Trial Lawyers in Cleveland, OH
If you have a criminal record at all, it’s vital that you speak with our Cleveland burglary attorneys as soon as possible. A burglary charge with a prior conviction could leave you in prison for over a decade; it might be the only way to fight for your future is in court. Patituce & Associates, LLC has the resources, experience, and track record to fight the prosecution on your behalf. Let us help.
Call (440) 771-1175 or online for a free, confidential consultation as soon as possible.
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- Martha L.
Seeking representation for federal charges against my husband led me to engage with an attorney from this firm. Swiftly connected with Joe Patituce, we made the decision to enlist his services that very day, a choice we're grateful for.
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- Cora B.
Their friendly and approachable team provided unwavering support. They worked diligently to build a robust defense, ensuring my side of the story was heard and considered!!!
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- Former Client
Cate Purdum was present, attentive, always returned my calls (I had attorneys before who never call you back), answered my questions and never ignored my calls. If I ever need an attorney in the future I will definitely go back to her.
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- Roberto M.
Catherine Meehan did an amazing job. Very responsive, friendly, and obviously very good with words. She kept me out of jail and home with my kiddo. For that I can't ever repay the favor. Much appreciated hope I never need your assistance again but if so I'll definitely give you a call. Thank you again.
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- Thomas S.
I am very satisfied with Rachelle and Joe they were talking me through my whole case and when I told them I wanted a trial they agreed and said let’s go to trial with out hesitation they were very professional and I couldn’t ask for a better law firm to have my back in my court case thank you Rachelle and Joe I highly recommend them to everybody
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- Levi G.
Joe helped my brother beat a serious RICO charge. He is simply the best criminal defense lawyer out there, and provides a clear-cut path to victory. I am extremely impressed and thankful for the hard work and dedication the team at Patituce & Associates put in on this case. It feels great to come out on the winning side, and not have to sweat a thing during the whole process. I highly recommend hiring Joe and his expert staff if you ever find yourself in any legal trouble. Thank you Joe!
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So kind and helpful! Don’t know what I would’ve done without him. Joe was kind and informative throughout the whole- Maddy P.
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- Glenn G.
I engaged Joe Patituce's services for my DUI case in Rocky River, and I couldn't have made a better choice. He and his team demonstrated excellence throughout, managing my case with remarkable skill and professionalism.
