Maryland Man Arrested for Burglary


Burglary is different from theft. While both involving the taking of other people’s possessions, burglary involves entering a building to commit the theft. This could mean entering a home, place of business or even a person’s shed.

A 30-year-old man was recently arrested for burglarizing a shed located in Westminster. The burglary happened on May 7 in South Ralph Street. The man stole a lawnmower stored inside a shed. The stolen lawnmower was later turned in at a local pawn shop. The pawn was linked to the man.

Police obtained an arrest warrant and arrested the man on May 16 on South Church Street. They took the man to the Carroll County Detention Center. He was charged with burglary and theft of the second and fourth degrees.

Types of Burglary

In Maryland, there are four degrees of burglary. Fourth-degree burglary is the least serious. While a misdemeanor, it still comes with a penalty of up to three years in jail. Third-degree burglary is more serious. A felony, it is punishable by up to 10 years in jail. The main difference between these two crimes is that for third-degree burglary, it must be proven that the person intended to commit a crime other than breaking and entering.

Second-degree burglary is also a felony. It applies to stores only and requires the intent of committing a theft, arson or act of violence. A person convicted of this crime can face up to 15 years in jail.

First-degree burglary is the most serious form of burglary. It is a felony that carries up to 20 years in jail. For a person to be convicted of first-degree burglary, it must be proven that they broke into another person’s home and intended to commit theft or a violent crime. It is similar to second-degree burglary, but involves dwellings, not stores.

Defenses to Burglary

If you are accused of burglary, it is important to seek legal help right away. Burglary charges are often lessened because not all elements are met. That’s why legal help is crucial. A skilled lawyer can assess your case and determine the best defense. Common defenses include the following:

  • The defendant did not intend to commit a crime.
  • The defendant was intoxicated.
  • The defendant had consent to enter the building.
  • The defendant stole the item from an open area and did not enter a building.
  • The defendant was forced to commit the crime through threat of personal injury or death.
  • The defendant is innocent; it’s a case of mistaken identity.
Contact a Maryland Criminal Defense Lawyer Today

Burglary is more serious than most people think. It can result in felony charges, which can negatively impact a person’s life for many years. A person can lose their constitutional rights due to a conviction.

It is important that you get a favorable outcome for such an accusation. The Columbia robbery and burglary attorneys at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. can argue in your favor. We have two offices in Maryland to serve you. Call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form for a free consultation.

Resource:

baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/05/17/carroll-county-man-arrested-on-two-counts-of-burglary-theft/

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