Lafayette Burglary Lawyer

Lafayette Burglary Attorney

Burglary charges can carry serious penalties under Louisiana law, and a conviction can impact you and your entire family. If you’ve been charged and are navigating a legal case in Louisiana, it’s wise to contact a Lafayette burglary lawyer to help you understand your options. Your attorney can help you form your defense, represent you, and advocate for your rights throughout your case.

Our attorneys at Longman Jakuback are dedicated to helping you through this challenging time in your life. We understand how much is at stake when going up against the criminal justice system, and we’re committed to defending you. When you hire a burglary lawyer from our local criminal defense and post-conviction law firm, you can rest assured you’re working with local attorneys who care.

Burglary Cases in Louisiana

Burglary is a serious property crime that involves unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony. Unlike robbery and theft, burglary is typically classified as a property crime. That said, some burglary crimes can become violent. Aggravating factors like having a firearm, injuring a bystander, or committing several crimes simultaneously can introduce additional penalties.

There are two main aspects of a burglary charge under Louisiana law:

1. Entering a structure without permission
2. Intending to commit a theft or other felony

Intent is a key aspect of burglary charges. If you’re caught entering a structure for another reason, you may be able to argue against the charges against you. Burglary charges that involve any form of violence are typically prosecuted even more harshly. You can expect prosecutors to pursue prison time.

In recent years, the burglary rate has been higher than the national average in Louisiana. These types of crimes accounted for 17.7 percent of property crimes committed across the state in a single year. Lafayette specifically ranks in the ninth percentile for safety against burglary crimes, making it less safe than 91 percent of other cities.

If you’re charged with burglary in Lafayette, it’s imperative that you act quickly to start building your defense. A knowledgeable Lafayette burglary attorney can help.

Your Local Lafayette Burglary Lawyers

Longman Jakuback has years of criminal defense experience at the state level in Louisiana and in federal court. We’re proud to serve the accused and protect their rights in and out of the courtroom. We have experience navigating burglary cases in the 15th Judicial District Court and the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana if you’re charged at the federal level.

As an experienced criminal defense law firm in Lafayette, we’re confident we can help you understand your legal options based on the facts of your case. Over the years, we’ve earned the trust of Louisianans. Additionally, some of our attorneys were selected to be a part of the Louisiana Super Lawyers.* It’s an honor only awarded to a small percentage of attorneys.

FAQs About Lafayette Burglary Laws

How Does Burglary Differ From Robbery and Theft Under Louisiana Law?

How burglary differs from robbery and theft under Louisiana law lies in the fundamental definitions of the crimes, even though they’re often used interchangeably in casual conversation. Burglary is a property crime. Robbery and theft can be property crimes or violent crimes.

Burglary involves simply entering property. Theft is the act of taking or attempting to take another party’s property without the direct use of force or violence. Robbery involves taking property by force or the threat of force.

Can I Go to Jail for Burglary in Lafayette?

Yes, you can go to jail for burglary in Lafayette. Burglary is typically charged as a felony under Louisiana law and carries serious penalties, including hefty fines and time in prison. Simple burglary, which is the least serious burglary charge, carries a sentence of one to 12 years.

Aggravated burglary is a more serious charge and can result in more severe penalties. It’s wise to hire a burglary lawyer to advocate for a reduced sentence or dropped charges altogether.

Is Burglary a Misdemeanor or Felony Under Louisiana Law?

Burglary is a felony under Louisiana law. Simple burglary refers to entering a building or other structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony. There are specific charges if the dwelling is inhabited at the time of the act.

Burglary in Louisiana often carries mandatory hard-labor sentences even for non-violent offenses. This means you’re incarcerated in a state Department of Corrections (DOC) instead of a parish jail. Offenders in Lafayette go to the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

How Do I Defend Against a Burglary Charge in Lafayette?

How you defend against a robbery charge in Lafayette is going to depend on the details of the case against you. Defenses against these types of charges involve negating any of the required elements of unlawful entry or intent, or both. Common defenses against burglary charges include:

• Alibi
• Consent
• Lack of evidence
• Lack of intent
• Mistaken identity
• No crime committed

It’s wise to hire a burglary lawyer to help you form your defense and to represent you.

Hire a Burglary Lawyer in Lafayette to Discuss Your Legal Options

If you’re facing burglary charges in Louisiana, you can turn to a local criminal defense attorney to help you navigate your case. With the threat of a felony charge looming over you, it’s imperative that you understand your legal options and the laws that pertain to your case. A Lafayette burglary attorney can represent you in and out of the courtroom.

Our attorneys at Longman Jakuback are prepared to help you navigate your charges and secure a fair outcome for your case. If you’re ready to discuss your situation in more detail, we’re here to help.

Call the office to set up a consultation with a member of our team, and we can start discussing your defense strategy. We’re located in Baton Rouge in the Saltz Building on Main Street. The office is right off I-110 and not too far from the I-10 and I-110 interchange.

*Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.