Consequences of a Burglary in Oklahoma
Burglary Overview
Burglary in the First Degree is a serious felony. It requires breaking and entering a structure that is occupied by another person with the intent to steal. The most common form of Burglary in the First Degree is a Residential Burglary where someone breaks into a home that is occupied by a resident. Second Degree Burglary is only slightly less serious a felony. It requires breaking into a home, building, vehicle, or other structure that is not occupied with the intent to steal.
Free Resources from OKC Criminal Defense Attorneys:
Have you or a loved one been arrested in Oklahoma City? Are you concerned about your future following arrest in Oklahoma? Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran, John Cannon and we’re privileged to fight for client’s rights and freedom in Oklahoma criminal defense cases. Please review our other FREE RESOURCES until we can answer your specific Oklahoma criminal defense questions:
Have you been charged with a serious crime? Have you been arrested? Got warrants?! Worried about defending those charges or worried about how you can make them go away? Well it doesn’t have to be that way. Serious steps need to be taken to avoid charges from becoming convictions. If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a defense lawyer right away. A lawyer can stop the police from contacting you directly. If you want to get this resolved so you can go back to living your life, CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604. We’re available 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week to schedule a Free Case Planning Session to understand your options and rights in an Oklahoma criminal case!
Both Burglary in the First and Second Degree are serious felonies that carry the potential for many years in prison, stringent probation conditions, and large fines.
Diversion Programs and Burglary
Oklahoma has many diversion programs that are designed to divert offenders from lengthy prison sentences. Unfortunately, most diversion programs do not accept defendants facing Burglary charges in Oklahoma. It is even more difficult to be accepted into a diversion program with a First-Degree Burglary charge in Oklahoma.
Drug Courts prohibit any defendant charged with a violent crime from entering the program, which includes Burglary. In order to be accepted into Drug Court, the charge would have to be amended to a less serious offense in order to enroll in the program. Our firm has had success getting client’s charges of Burglary amended to a Drug Court eligible offense; however, this is rare and difficult to accomplish. Community Sentencing or a Veteran Diversion program is a potential option for Burglary offenders; however, these programs require prosecutor approval and are equally difficult to enter.
Penalties for Burglary
Burglary is a serious crime and typically is charged as a felony; however, some circumstances result in a defendant being charged with a misdemeanor. Being convicted of Burglary carries many potential penalties, most of which are listed below:
Jail or prison. Burglary convictions carry lengthy prison sentences; the more serious the charge the longer the potential prison sentence in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, a first-time conviction for Burglary in the First Degree can carry up to 20 years in prison. A misdemeanor burglary charge can result in a sentence of up to a year in jail.
First Degree Burglary: carries between seven (7) years and twenty (20) years in prison;
Second Degree Burglary: carries up to seven (7) years in prison; and
Third Degree Burglary: carries up to five (5) years in prison.
Fines. Burglary fines can be significant. Depending on the type of burglary charge, you can face thousands of dollars in fines for a felony conviction.
Restitution. Victims of Burglary can be compensated for damaged or stolen property, up to and including treble damages (three times the loss) in Oklahoma. Restitution is in addition to any fines and court costs imposed by the judge in your case.
Probation. Probation sentences are sometimes granted in burglary cases; however, it can be instead of a prison sentence or following release from prison. Being on probation is certainly better than being in prison; however, it comes with multiple conditions that must be strictly followed in order to remain out of custody and on probation.
Burglary Defense in Oklahoma
Although Burglary carries severe potential penalties, experienced Oklahoma Burglary Defense Lawyers at Cannon & Associates provide FIERCE ADVOCACY to aggressively defend each client in their Burglary Defense, including but not limited to the following:
- Lack of Evidence: the prosecution must prove every element of a burglary offense beyond a reasonable doubt in order to obtain a conviction;
- Lack of Intent: the specific intent of entering to steal or other intent requirements must be met in order for the prosecution to obtain a burglary conviction;
- Illegal Acts by Law Enforcement: we aggressively work to suppress any illegally obtained evidence or improper police conduct in client’s cases;
- Credibility Issues: through independent research and investigation we expose any credibility problems or inconsistencies in witness stories.
When developing an effective criminal defense strategy to an Oklahoma Burglary charge, Cannon & Associates draws on years of experiences defending hundreds of burglary cases and prosecuting burglary cases under Oklahoma law.
You should immediately exercise your right to an attorney, if you have been arrested or are being investigated for burglary or any crime! Facing criminal charges will have a negative effect on your life, freedom, and future. Our team at Cannon & Associates understands these concerns as we have walked along side hundreds of clients and we are ready to fight for you. We work closely with our clients, because no one knows the facts of the case better than you do. Our team approach helps us build the most effective defense possible.
Free Resources from OKC Criminal Defense Attorneys:
Have you or a loved one been arrested in Oklahoma City? Are you concerned about your future following arrest in Oklahoma? Our team of Your Fierce Advocates® at Cannon & Associates is led by Army Veteran, John Cannon and we’re privileged to fight for client’s rights and freedom in Oklahoma criminal defense cases. Please review our other FREE RESOURCES until we can answer your specific Oklahoma criminal defense questions:
Have you been charged with a serious crime? Have you been arrested? Got warrants?! Worried about defending those charges or worried about how you can make them go away? Well it doesn’t have to be that way. Serious steps need to be taken to avoid charges from becoming convictions. If you answered yes to any of these questions, you need a defense lawyer right away. A lawyer can stop the police from contacting you directly. If you want to get this resolved so you can go back to living your life, CALL NOW at (405) 972-8604. We’re available 24 hours a day, and 7 days a week to schedule a Free Case Planning Session to understand your options and rights in an Oklahoma criminal case!
Conclusion
Experience matters when you are facing Burglary Charges in Oklahoma. It is important to know the Oklahoma Burglary defense lawyer you hire is dedicated to your cause and versed in all aspects of Oklahoma burglary law. John Cannon, owner of Cannon & Associates is a former prosecutor and very experienced in the law and issues associated with property crimes in Oklahoma. He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and Top 40 under 40 in criminal defense. Contact Cannon & Associates to protect your rights and Fight your case. Complete the CONTACT FORM ON THIS PAGE NOW or CALL at 1(405) 657-2323 for a free confidential case evaluation.