Burglary Lawyer in Columbus
In Ohio, burglary is classified as a felony in every case, and a conviction may result in a prison sentence ranging from six months to eleven years, depending on the degree of the offense. Factors such as whether the structure was occupied, whether another person was present, and whether a weapon was involved can affect the severity of the charge. As a result, the specific facts surrounding the incident often play a significant role in a criminal defense case.
Does A Burglary Charge Require Stealing Anything?
No, and this surprises many people. In Ohio, you can be convicted of burglary even if you never took a single item, because the crime is unlawfully entering a structure with the intent to commit any offense inside, not the theft itself. The state focuses on the entry and your purpose, so prosecutors do not need missing property to move forward with a serious felony case.
What Are The Penalties For Burglary In Ohio?
Ohio sorts burglary into separate felony levels, and each level brings its own prison range and fines. The exact charge depends on who was inside and what happened, but the possible sentences generally break down like this:
- First-degree felony (aggravated burglary): 3 to 11 years in prison.
- Second-degree felony burglary: 2 to 8 years in prison.
- Third-degree felony burglary: 9 to 36 months in prison.
- Fourth-degree felony burglary: 6 to 18 months in prison.
These burglary levels come from Ohio Revised Code Section 2911.12, while the most serious form, aggravated burglary, sits one step higher as a first-degree felony. Courts can also add steep fines, and the highest-level cases may carry an indefinite sentence that stretches the time you may serve.
What Pushes A Burglary Charge To A Higher Degree?
Several facts can lift a charge from one felony level to the next. A burglary becomes more serious when someone was home or likely to be home, when the building was a lived-in residence rather than an empty structure, or when a weapon or threat of harm entered the picture.
Those same factors can turn a standard burglary into an aggravated burglary; the most heavily punished form handled in Franklin County courtrooms.
What Defenses Can Challenge A Burglary Charge?
A felony charge is not a conviction, and several angles can weaken the state’s case long before a trial ever begins. Depending on the facts surrounding your arrest, a defense may rest on points like these:
- No intent to commit a crime inside
- A lawful right to be on the property
- Mistaken identity or shaky eyewitness claims
- An unlawful police search or stop
How Our Firm Defends Burglary Cases In Columbus
A burglary charge in Columbus can feel overwhelming, but the degree on your paperwork is not the final word on your future. The Law Offices of Saia, Marrocco & Jensen Inc is a nationally recognized law firm with more than 100 years of collective experience defending serious felony cases.
Our team is available for a free consultation 24/7, so reach out to our office or call (614) 444-3036 anytime to speak with our burglary lawyer in Columbus.
- A Nationally Recognized Law Firm
