Charlotte Breaking and Entering Lawyer

Top-Rated Breaking and Entering Attorney in Charlotte, NC

Breaking into a building with the intent to commit a crime is a crime in and of itself. If you’re facing these serious charges, you can hire a Charlotte breaking and entering lawyer to defend you.

Trust Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys at Law

You can rely on the dedicated team here at Steven T. Meier, PLLC, to treat your case with the seriousness it deserves. Whether breaking and entering is your only crime or you’re facing additional charges related to the incident, we can craft an effective defense strategy and present a strong case in court. Contact us to discuss the specifics of your case and how to move forward with a Charlotte criminal defense lawyer today.

Why Hire a Breaking and Entering Lawyer?

In 2022, there were 37,794 cases of burglary or breaking and entering in North Carolina. Throughout 2024, there were 34,411 burglaries throughout the state, indicating a general decreasing trend in the number of burglary incidents.

Whether you’re facing burglary charges or breaking and entering alone, you should hire a breaking and entering lawyer to defend you against them. Your attorney can handle all the details of your case, such as:

• Keeping track of court dates
• Collecting evidence
• Interviewing witnesses
• Crafting an effective defense strategy

Working with a Charlotte breaking and entering attorney is the most effective way to seek a positive outcome in your case.

What Is Breaking and Entering?

In North Carolina, breaking and entering is defined as breaking into or entering a building that is not yours. It can be committed for a variety of reasons. If you break into or unlawfully enter a building without the intent to terrorize or commit a crime, your charges could be significantly lower. According to breaking and entering laws, that is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Types of breaking and entering can involve:

• Larceny or felonies: The offender enters to take something or commit any offense that can be classified as a felony. This is a Class H felony.
• Injury or terrorizing: A person enters another’s property with the intent to harm them or cause them distress. This is also a Class H felony.
• Unlawful business entry: This addresses situations where someone enters a business’s restricted property, such as money-holding areas or storage rooms, without permission. The first offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor, while subsequent incidents are charged as Class 1 felonies.

Breaking and entering penalties vary significantly from case to case because some are tried as misdemeanors while others are felonies. Sentences can be enhanced if the person possessed a firearm.

Defenses Against Breaking and Entering Charges

Breaking and entering cases in Charlotte are tried at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse, located at 832 East Fourth Street. During your trial, you’ll have the opportunity to present a defense against the charges. Common defenses include:

• Permission: You may have been legally authorized to enter the property.
• Lack of intent: You may not have had the intent to commit a felony while inside the building. In that case, your charges could be dropped from a felony to a misdemeanor.
• Mistake: You may not have intended to break into a building, as might be the case if you mistook the property for a building that you had permission to enter. Mistakes of identity can also occur, in which witnesses to the crime may not have correctly identified the person who committed it.

You can trust your attorney to come up with the most effective strategy for defending you against your breaking and entering charges.

FAQs

What Is the Sentence for First-Degree Burglary in NC?

The sentence for first-degree burglary in North Carolina typically includes substantial prison time. Burglary is considered a Class D felony punishable by several years in prison, with longer terms if there were aggravating factors. Community or intermediate probation is not usually available because Class D felonies are high-level offenses, and the sentencing grid mandates active prison time.

What Is the Ideal Defense Against Burglary?

The ideal defense against burglary is actual innocence. If you can provide a solid alibi showing that you were not near the scene of the crime when it was committed, the jury should not convict you of burglary. Support for your alibi can include statements from credible witnesses, photographs or videos, or receipts from stores.

What Is Worse, First- or Second-Degree Burglary?

First-degree burglary is worse than second-degree burglary in North Carolina. First-degree burglary is a Class D felony that occurs when a person breaks into an occupied home at night. Second-degree burglary is a Class G felony that occurs when a person breaks into an unoccupied home at night. The punishment for second-degree burglary can be as low as a few months in prison, while those facing first-degree burglary charges can face several years in prison.

What Is the Statute for Breaking and Entering in NC?

The statute for breaking and entering in North Carolina is N.C.G.S. 14-54. It states that breaking and entering occurs when a person breaks into or enters a building while intending to commit a felony, which can include a burglary. It is a Class H felony, even if no successful burglary is committed. Wrongful entry, however, involves breaking or entering a building without authorization and without the intent to commit a felony, and it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Your Charlotte Breaking and Entering Lawyer

If you’ve been accused of breaking into a building with the intent to commit a burglary or another felony, you could face significant prison time. You need to hire a Charlotte breaking and entering lawyer who can dispute the charges.

You can trust the team here at Steven T. Meier, PLLC Attorneys at Law, to defend you. Whether you’re facing misdemeanor wrongful entry or felony breaking and entering charges, we can provide you with the robust defense you need to seek a positive outcome in your case. We have decades of combined experience in criminal law and a history of defending clients against these types of charges. Contact us to schedule a consultation regarding your case today.