New Jersey Burglary Defense Lawyers

As Burglary is a Very Serious Charge, You Need the Experienced New Jersey Burglary Defense Lawyers at Team Law to Help

Burglary is a very serious crime in New Jersey. If you are convicted of a burglary charge, it can be up to a second-degree crime and come with a lifetime of consequences.

As is the case with most serious crimes, over the course of many years, an experienced law firm deals with many clients who have found themselves in the same situation someone charged with burglary is now in.

If you have been charged with burglary in New Jersey, contact Team Law today so we can discuss how to proceed with your defense. 

How Burglary is Defined in New Jersey

New Jersey burglary statute

In New Jersey, the relevant statute (law)  of the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice is 2C:18-2.

This statute, last revised in 2009, defines burglary and its consequences as follows:

2C:18-2. Burglary. a. Burglary defined. A person is guilty of burglary if, with purpose to commit an offense therein or thereon he:

(1)Enters a research facility, structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion thereof unless the structure was at the time open to the public or the actor is licensed or privileged to enter;

(2)Surreptitiously remains in a research facility, structure, or a separately secured or occupied portion thereof knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so; or

(3)Trespasses in or upon utility company property where public notice prohibiting trespass is given by conspicuous posting, or fencing or other enclosure manifestly designed to exclude intruders.

Penalties for burglary in New Jersey

The same statute sets forth penalties for burglary in New Jersey:

b. Grading. Burglary is a crime of the second degree if in the course of committing the offense, the actor:

(1)Purposely, knowingly or recklessly inflicts, attempts to inflict or threatens to inflict bodily injury on anyone; or

(2)Is armed with or displays what appear to be explosives or a deadly weapon.

Otherwise burglary is a crime of the third degree. An act shall be deemed “in the course of committing” an offense if it occurs in an attempt to commit an offense or in immediate flight after the attempt or commission.

It is well worth noting that burglary in the second degree can come with a penalty of $150,000 in fines and 10 years in prison.

Possible Defenses to Burglary in New Jersey

In any burglary charge, the burden of proof is squarely upon the prosecution to prove not only that the person accused committed the acts in issue, but that the act itself meets all of the elements of the definition of a burglary.

When working with a skilled and experienced legal team such as Team Law, we may be able to find factual inconsistencies between the actions of the defendant and the factors that need to be proven for a conviction.

Perhaps the defendant was in the premises with permission, or perhaps the defendant was in the structure without permission but did not possess the intent to commit a crime while there. There are also cases where the factual circumstance demonstrates that the accused was elsewhere at the time of the alleged burglary.

There may also be an opportunity to present character witnesses and present evidence as to the defendant’s lack of criminal background, all of which can affect sentencing even if a defendant is found guilty. 

Contact Our Experienced New Jersey Burglary Defense Lawyers to Discuss Options Today

If you have been accused of burglary in New Jersey you need to act quickly to allow yourself as much time as possible to build a viable defense to the charges. Contact Team Law today and we will fight for your rights as an individual accused of a serious crime. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Burglary Defense in New Jersey