When you get arrested for burglary in Washington, it’s easy for you to think that your fate is sealed. You may have seen movies or television shows where the criminal is sentenced to years in prison, and you think that’s what will happen to you. However, it’s important to remember that every case is different, and there are a variety of elements that may affect the outcome of your case.
Unlawful entry
You must enter a building or structure without the permission of the owner to meet the first element of burglary. If you got invited into a home or business, then you would not be guilty. However, if you forced your way in, then you would be. The owner does not have to be present.
A structure or building
Most people think of burglary as breaking into a home, but it can be any type of building. This can be a home, an office, a store, or any other type, and it does not have to be a permanent structure. For example, if you broke into a construction site trailer, you would still be guilty of burglary. Therefore, that means that if you broke into a tent at a festival, you would also be guilty of this crime.
Intent to commit a crime
The second element is that you must have the intent to commit a crime once you’re inside the building. This means that if you entered a building without permission, but did not have the intention of committing a crime, then you would not be guilty of burglary.
For example, let’s say that you went into an abandoned house. You did not have permission to be there, but you did not intend to commit a crime. In this case, it would be easy for your criminal defense team to prove that you did not have the criminal intent, and you would not be guilty of burglary.
As you can see, simply being charged with burglary does not mean that you will be automatically convicted. If you are facing these charges, it is important to review the evidence against you and develop a strong defense based on the specific facts of your case.
