BURGLARY DEFENSE

In Shreveport-Bossier, and surrounding areas, if there is evidence that you entered property without permission, with the intent to commit a crime, you could face felony charges and severe penalties, including fines, restitution, and jail time.

As a criminal defense attorney, Ebonee Norris has spent years advocating for the rights of defendants across Louisiana. She possesses the experience you'll want on your side, if a burglary charge is an issue you currently face.

Burglary in Louisiana is defined as unauthorized entry into any structure with the intent to commit a felony or theft therein. It is critical that the alleged intent to commit theft is present in order for the crime of burglary to be committed.

It is important to first note that burglary is not the same as robbery. Robbery is the taking of property through fear, intimidation, or force, and usually is a confrontational crime where the victim has direct interaction with the perpetrator. Burglary is usually a non-confrontational crime and there are rarely ever witnesses to the crime. The prosecution will need strong evidence and may not rely on false accusations or mistaken identity to build their case.

The pertinent Louisiana burglary offenses are as follows:

• Simple Burglary of an Inhabited Dwelling: the entering of an inhabited dwelling, house, apartment, or other structure used as a home or place of abode without authorization and with the intent to commit a felony or theft.
• Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling: the intentional entrance, without authorization, into an inhabited dwelling or other structure used as a home or place of abode. The burden to prove criminal intent is not required in order to commit a felony or theft.
• Unauthorized Entry of a Place of Business: the intentional entry, without authority, into any structure or any premises belonging to another party. The burden to prove criminal intent is not required in order to commit a felony or theft.
• Aggravated Burglary: the entrance into an inhabited dwelling or structure, without authorization, with the intent to commit a felony or theft. The alleged offender must be armed with a dangerous weapon; arms themselves with a dangerous weapon; or commits battery upon any person.
• Unauthorized Entry of a Critical Infrastructure: the entrance, without authority, into any structure or premises that belongs to another party that constitutes a critical infrastructure. A critical infrastructure includes places like chemical manufacturing plants, oil refineries, and water intake facilities.
• Looting: the intentional entering of any dwelling or structure, belonging to another party, used in whole or in part, as a home or place of abode or place of business. This entrance must be one made without authorization, when normal security of the property is not present due to some kind of natural disaster, such as a hurricane, flood, or fire.
• Unauthorized Entry of a Dwelling During an Emergency or Disaster: the intentional entrance, without authorization, of any dwelling or structure. This dwelling or structure must belong to another party and used as a home or place of abode. The home or place of abode must be situated in a parish where the governor has declared a disaster or emergency.
• Home Invasion: the unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling or structure, belonging to another party, used in whole or in part as a home or place of abode. There must be criminal intent to use force or violence upon someone. Additionally, criminal intent to vandalize, deface, or damage the property, where a person is present, constitutes the offense of home invasion.

• Simple Burglary: A sentence of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to 12 years and/or a fine of up to $2,000.
• Simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling: A sentence of imprisonment at hard labor, at a minimum of 1 year to 12 years.
• Aggravated burglary: A sentence of imprisonment at hard labor, a minimum of 1 year up to 30 years.
• Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling/Unauthorized entry of a place of business: A sentence of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to six years and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
• Unauthorized entry of a critical infrastructure: A sentence of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to 5 years and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
• Looting: A sentence of imprisonment at hard labor for up to 15 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000. When a looting crime is committed during a state of emergency declared by the governor or the chief executive officer of any parish, a conviction is punishable by imprisonment at hard labor for a minimum of 3 years to 15 years and/or a minimum fine of $5,000 up to $10,000.
• Unauthorized entry of a dwelling during an emergency or disaster: A sentence of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for up to 1 year and/or a fine of up to $1,500.
• Home invasion: A sentence of imprisonment at hard labor for not less than 1 year nor more than 30 years and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

If you or a loved one has been charged with burglary in Shreveport-Bossier City, or a surrounding area, you should immediately seek the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Ebonee Norris is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Bond Lawyers, Shreveport Bar Association, Bossier Parish Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She and her team can provide the qualified and skilled legal counsel you deserve.

Call 318-771-7000 or contact us online to receive a confidential consultation.