Marietta Burglary Criminal Defense Attorney

Protecting Your Freedom

A serious theft crime offense, burglary is committed when a person enters the property of another, with the intent to commit a felony or theft while inside. This hazy legal definition means that an actual theft does not have to occur in order for an individual to be charged, prosecuted or convicted for burglary. It also means that prosecutors only have to focus on a person's intent, a difficult legal element to prove.

At The Merchant Law Firm, our Marietta criminal defense attorneys have spent nearly two decades refining our legal skills and gaining insight into the ways prosecutors handle burglary cases. With this insight, our legal team can craft effective defense plans built around tearing down the prosecution's case and proving your innocence.

According to Georgia Code § 16-7-1, burglary carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years. Multiple convictions can also increase the mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment, with a minimum of two years for a second conviction and a minimum of five years for a third conviction. Georgia also makes burglary of a retail establishment a separate theft crime offense.

Known as a smash and grab burglary, these charges can be prosecuted when a person enters a retail establishment with the intent to commit a theft and causes damage in excess of $500. Penalties include imprisonment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of 20 years, fines of up to $100,000, or both. Multiple convictions can also result in enhanced penalties.

Retain the Experienced Defense You Need from a Marietta Criminal Lawyer

Marietta plays host to a significant amount of property and theft crimes, with rates among the highest in the nation. This means that the court system is inundated with theft crime and burglary cases, which can stretch the abilities and resources of law enforcement officers and prosecutors thin.

This can result in numerous wrongful arrests and a number of crucial mistakes or violations. Given these circumstances, anyone accused of burglary should protect their right to defend themselves with the assistance of an attorney and feel confident that these charges can be beat.