Breaking and Entering

Many people look at breaking and entering as a black and white crime. However, there are many gray areas that can affect the seriousness of the crime as well as the punishment. If you have been charged with breaking and entering and are seeking professional help on your case, your first step should be to reach out to Koontz Law. With close to a decade of experience, Brandy Koontz and the entire Koontz Law team are experienced in many cases related to breaking and entering and work hard to minimize the long-term effects a conviction may have.

What Is Breaking and Entering? 

In North Carolina, this is defined as breaking and entering a property without permission and with intent to commit a crime. Breaking and entering is a serious offense and can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony. A conviction for these crimes can result in a jail or prison sentence and a permanent criminal record. Additionally, depending on the amount of force used and if there are occupants in the dwelling where the crime was committed, the charge could be first or second degree breaking and entering. First degree breaking and entering is a class D felony that can come with a maximum punishment of 204 months incarcerated. Second degree breaking and entering is a class G felony and has a maximum punishment of 47 months in jail.

At Koontz Law, we are committed to helping all of our clients fight for the best possible outcome. 

If you or a family member was charged with breaking and entering, you need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense attorney to guide you through your criminal proceedings and build a strong defense to the charges that you face. With the assistance of a skilled lawyer, you may be able to get the charges dismissed or reduced to a less serious offense.

Breaking and Entering Laws in North Carolina

No matter what the charge is, Koontz Law can help you fight it. We are dedicated to helping our clients any way we can and are fully prepared to handle even the toughest of breaking and entering cases. In North Carolina, breaking and entering is taken seriously but with all the right information, we can hope to change the outcome. Learn more about breaking and entering laws in North Carolina below.

Breaking and Entering

In North Carolina, entering a building looking to commit a felony, theft, or hurt an inhabitant of the property is called “felonious breaking and entering” and will be charged more seriously. A less serious version of breaking and entering is doing so without the intent of committing a crime and only doing so without permission. Breaking and entering into a property, building, car, boat, trailer, safe, vault, warehouse, etc. is deemed a crime. Additionally, if one is to break and enter into a place of worship like a church or mosque, they will be punished more severely.

There are a number of different offenses that are considered breaking and entering, such as:

A criminal conviction of breaking and entering in North Carolina can have a very long-lasting impact on your life. It will affect your ability to obtain or keep certain jobs and will also have a permanent impact on your reputation. That’s why it is in your best interest to consult with a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. 

Intent To Commit a Crime

While prosecutors in North Carolina are not required to determine what was going through the defendants head when they began breaking in, in most cases it can be established whether there was intent to commit a crime. The jury can usually very easily infer from the mere fact that the defendant was breaking and entering, that the defendant did have intent to commit a crime. 

Trespassing 

North Carolina law states that trespassing is a less serious crime than breaking and entering, but still one that warrants a charge. A person commits trespassing when they enter a property where “No Trespassing” signs are posted. Furthermore, if the defendant has been told not to enter a property or piece of land by the owner or occupant but continues to do so, they will be charged with trespassing. Depending on the location and circumstances, first degree trespassing, a more serious crime, can come into play. 

How Can Koontz Law Help You

If you have been charged with breaking and entering, it’s likely that you are looking for any help you can to beat the charge. At Koontz Law, we firmly believe that our clients are innocent until proven guilty and will work hard to fight for the best possible outcome. We will always protect your rights and help represent you to the best of our ability. With Koontz Law on your side, you can trust you have a dedicated and knowledgeable team of attorneys that truly cares. 

Committed To Helping You

When you choose Koontz Law to help fight for your freedom, you will be choosing to work with professional attorneys who will work hard to achieve your desired outcome. Our team can help explain the laws to you, answer any questions you may have, and help you find your way through the criminal justice system. If you have been charged with breaking and entering or a breaking and entering related crime, contact our dedicated Koontz Law team for your consultation.