Burglary charges can carry serious weight in Louisiana. If convicted, you can face serious penalties, including imprisonment. Understanding Louisiana’s burglary laws is key to making it through your case if you’re facing charges. The good news is you don’t have to become a legal professional overnight. Instead, you can turn to an established Gonzales burglary lawyer to help you fight your charges.
If you’re dealing with a burglary case in Gonzales, you can count on the skilled attorneys of Longman Jakuback to have your back. Our team brings over a decade of criminal defense experience that we’re ready to put to work for you.
We’re familiar with Louisiana burglary laws as well as navigating burglary cases through the 23rd Judicial District Court. You can count on us to see you through your case, no matter how much things escalate.

Gonzales is a thriving community in Ascension Parish situated between Baton Rouge and New Orleans that is home to over 12,700 people. While the city is known for its friendly neighborhoods and strong sense of community, crime still exists. Gonzales ranks in the 39th percentile for safety from burglary crimes, making it less safe than 61 percent of other cities in the United States.
It’s important to have a basic understanding of Louisiana burglary laws if you’re facing charges. One important aspect of the law is knowing the difference between burglary and robbery.
While these two terms are often likened to one another, they are distinctly different. Robbery refers to taking another’s property by use of fear, intimidation, or force.
Burglary simply refers to entering into a building, dwelling, or other structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony. You can be charged with burglary even if nothing was stolen.
What matters most in a burglary case is intent. Prosecutors simply must prove that the offender planned to commit a felony or theft.
Your job is to build a strong enough defense to prove that you’re innocent. Burglary is prosecuted harshly in Louisiana. Prosecutors often push for jail time even if the offender doesn’t have a past record.
A Gonzales burglary lawyer can help you gather key pieces of evidence to support your case and fight for your freedom. At the very least, they might be able to secure an alternate sentence to avoid jail time.
Longman Jakuback is a local Louisiana law firm, which means we have extensive experience overseeing criminal cases in the area. We bring years of criminal defense experience to the table, including many successful cases. Our attorneys are regularly recognized by Super Lawyers for their outstanding service, and we’ve gained the trust of countless clients over the years.
We take pride in representing clients throughout Louisiana and protecting them in and out of the courtroom. There were a total of 263 cases of burglary or breaking and entering in Ascension Parish in 2023.
If you’re dealing with a burglary charge in Gonzales, you can count on our dedicated staff to prepare you to go up against the law. We can help with post-conviction complications as well.
The difference between simple burglary and aggravated burglary is the severity of the charges. Simple burglary is defined as illegally entering someone’s property with the intent of committing a felony or any type of theft. A charge can be escalated to aggravated battery if the offender has a dangerous weapon or harms another individual while on the property or while entering or leaving it.
The penalties for burglary in Gonzales vary depending on the type of burglary committed and the severity of the offense. You can expect a simple burglary charge to carry a prison sentence and hefty fines.
An aggravated burglary conviction is going to carry a heavier sentence. There are also long-term impacts. A felony record can make it harder to secure employment and housing. A Gonzales burglary attorney can help you fight for reduced or alternative sentencing.
You can have a burglary case dismissed in Gonzales. That said, it can be challenging to have your charges dropped altogether. Prosecutors are not likely to drop charges without a good reason.
It’s important to gather enough evidence and build a strong defense that demonstrates your innocence. Creating a convincing enough argument can be challenging. It’s wise to hire a burglary defense lawyer to help build your defense and support your case.
Common defenses against burglary charges in Gonzales depend on the details of the case. A common method your Gonzales burglary attorney may discuss with you is challenging the arrest or any part of the legal process.
They can claim that law enforcement and court officials did not lawfully handle your charges, making them completely invalid. Other common defenses include consent, lack of intent, and mistaken identity. A Gonzales burglary lawyer can help you build a unique strategy.
Burglary is a serious crime that can lead to harsh penalties under Louisiana law. Whether you’re facing a first-time simple burglary charge or an aggravated offense, it’s important that you understand your legal options for fighting your charges. It’s recommended to hire a burglary lawyer as soon as possible.
For Gonzales residents, there’s nowhere better to turn than Longman Jakuback. Our skilled attorneys bring over a decade of combined experience defending against various criminal charges under Louisiana law.
You can count on us to help navigate your case through state or federal court if necessary. If you want to discuss your case in more detail with a local burglary attorney, feel free to schedule a consultation with a member of our team today. We’re on Main Street in the heart of downtown Baton Rouge, right off I-110.