Criminal Defense Lawyers
Specializing in DUI
If you are charged with Breaking and Entering in Massachusetts, you should contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. There are several different statutes relating to B&E in Massachusetts, and they all carry serious penalties. When representing a client charged with Breaking and Entering, after a full investigation by my defense team, I often find that they have been overcharged. For example, the prosecutor may only have prima facie evidence of intent to commit a misdemeanor but they’ve charged my client with Breaking and Entering with intent to Commit a Felony. The difference in potential penalties between these two charges is tremendous: 6 months in jail vs. 20 years in prison. Often times there is little to no evidence of intent to commit any crime, in which case I may be able to have the charge reduced to trespassing or dismissed entirely. If you’ve been charged with Breaking and Entering in Massachusetts, the evidence against you may be very circumstantial or weak, in which case it may be worth fighting the case. Perhaps you did not “break and enter” the building, but instead were there lawfully. Perhaps the only evidence against you is that of an eyewitness who can be discredited. In any event, you should never try to take your chances in court without the representation of a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney.
Breaking and Entering with Intent to Commit a Misdemeanor is punishable by up to 6 months in jail and a $200 fine.
Breaking and Entering in the Daytime with Intent to Commit a Felony is punishable by up to 10 years in state prison.
–> If a firearm is used during the commission of this offense, there is a minimum mandatory of 2 1/2 years in jail.
Breaking and Entering at Nighttime with Intent to Commit a Felony (also known as Burglary) is punishable by up to 20 years in state prison.
For more related charges, see Massachusetts General Laws “Crimes Against Property.”
If you have been charged with Breaking and Entering or any other Massachusetts criminal offense, contact my office for your free initial phone consultation:
50 Milk St 16th Floor Boston, MA 02109 Phone: (617) 830-2188