Burglary in Tacoma

Washington State has a well-earned reputation among the rest of the country as one of the top spots for Pacific Northwest experiences. It has the best of both worlds, with pristine natural environments and wildlife within the sprawling forests and ocean shores, as well as large urban centers that are considered world-class not just by Americans but the rest of the globe as well. All of this makes for a region of America with a lot of possibilities and opportunities, so it’s no wonder so many flock here to live, work, and play.

This has also created an environment where prosperity and desperation can, unfortunately, exist side by side. One of the negative impacts of this is the exposure to goods, services, and belongings that may be legally out of reach but can be obtained if one is willing to break the law and resort to theft. Washington State, like other states in the country, has numerous laws to deal with theft and the state breaks this general concept down into more specific categories. One such category is burglary, which means people who commit a crime involving stealing, and those who burglarize will face different legal consequences.

Our experienced attorneys have been handling legal cases all over Washington State for decades. The types of cases they have successfully resolved run from simple civil violations to complex criminal trials. We’re always ready to help everyone in cities like Tacoma and the adjacent regions. With our extensive experience, we can help people resolve significant legal challenges, such as facing charges of burglary.

Tacoma is situated just south of Seattle, and this particular region of the state is especially affluent thanks to an extremely dynamic technology sector, playing host to the likes of Microsoft and Nintendo in nearby Redmond. This has created a powerhouse economic environment for many years, resulting in a certain affluence among residents in a broad range of different demographics. As a result, there are plenty of places for both work and residence, with valuable goods and other items located on-site.

Unfortunately, this can result in people deciding to simply take what they can’t buy, in hopes law enforcement will not be unable to track them down and make an arrest. In 2023, there were over 38,000 burglaries in Washington State, with over 47% of those targeting homes and other private properties. This is a serious crime, although it is important to distinguish it from other crimes in the theft category.

It is important to understand that the general crime of theft has different charges based on the specific circumstances behind the theft. For instance, in the eyes of the law, there is a clear distinction between robbery and burglary. In the simplest possible terms, robbery is theft that steals from a person, while burglary is a crime that trespasses into and commits criminal action in a place.

The most common example of robbery is a street mugging, where a person may be threatened with violence unless they surrender their wallet. Burglary, on the other hand, might involve a family coming home from vacation only to find the house has been broken into and valuables like televisions and jewelry have been stolen. In this case, the victims may have never even seen the people who stole their belongings and only found out about it after the fact.

Even with this specificity, burglary itself is broken down into three categories, those being:

Second-degree burglary distinguishes itself from residential burglary in that the property being trespassed on is a building other than a dwelling or a vehicle. This is generally the category into which retail, warehouse, or even office thefts fall. As with residential burglary, the crime may be committed against the property or the people who are on the property.

Because it is so common, residential burglary has its own legal category. As the name suggests, a theft is classed as a residential burglary when a person either trespasses onto a residential property or remains on a property after they were expected to leave, with the intent of committing a crime against the property or the people inside. So, stealing jewelry from a jewelry box or taking rings and necklaces from a person while at home both fall under this category.

The final and most serious type, burglary in the first degree, has the most serious legal repercussions. This class of burglary involves either the presence of deadly weapons during the trespass or the physical assault of people present on the property when the burglary takes place. Taking a resident’s jewelry without any harm involves one kind of legal penalty, but an act of violence against a person before continuing to steal things takes this category of crime to a new level.

Unsurprisingly, burglary convictions bring with them criminal charges. Because these are criminal convictions, both fines and imprisonment are possible outcomes. Second-degree burglary, the least severe, is a class B felony in Washington State, with a possible maximum of 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $20,000.

Residential burglary is technically a class B felony with the same prison terms or fines. However, because this crime takes place in a home where people are more vulnerable, it is actually considered a more serious crime. It carries a higher likelihood of prosecution seeking maximum penalties for those convicted.

First-degree, the most serious, is a class A felony. This means that maximum fines of $50,000 are possible, and the maximum prison term is life.

We believe that just because someone is charged with burglary doesn’t mean maximum penalties—or even a guilty verdict—are necessarily correct. Our lawyers have been fighting burglary criminal cases in Western Washington and the rest of Washington state for over 20 years. If you, or someone you know, is charged with burglary, a burglary attorney may be able to change the outcome or even overturn the charges. Our Tacoma burglary attorneys are experienced, committed lawyers who can help people facing burglary charges to get better outcomes or even acquittals when it comes time to face the court.

Washington Law categorizes burglary into three "degrees," each with its own level of severity and punishments. Burglary is defined as entering into a home or business with the intent to commit a crime, but even if the crime isn't fully carried out, you can still be charged with burglary in Tacoma.

A criminal burglary charge occurs when someone enters a building or stays longer than invited, intent on committing a criminal act. Understanding burglary laws is often challenging, but you can speak to one of our Tacoma burglary lawyers about your situation and get some reliable legal information.

For starters, please review the following Tacoma burglary charges

• First Degree Burglary - As the most serious burglary charge, first degree burglary is charged to a person who commits a burglary with a deadly weapon, or assaults another person. In Washington this is a Class A felony - a serious charge with devastating consequences.
• Second Degree Burglary - If a person enters a building other than a residence to commit a crime, they can be charged with a Class B felony. Second degree burglary should be taken just as seriously as any other charge because the penalties are swift and severe.
• Residential Burglary - Also a Class B felony, this is charged to a person who commits a burglary on a private residence.

No matter which burglary offense you're charged with, a conviction could have a detrimental impact on your entire life, and the lives of those in your family. If you've been arrested for burglary in Washington, contact one of the Tacoma burglary attorneys at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe and make sure your legal rights are fully protected.

Our professional Tacoma attorneys will act as your personal advocate with the court, aggressively pursuing dismissal of your charges, if possible, or the reduction of the penalties associated with your crime.

When prosecuting a burglary case in Tacoma, it is necessary to prove that the defendant entered the building or property in question with the intent to commit a crime. This poses a significant challenge to the prosecutor, so our Tacoma burglary attorneys will carefully examine every piece of evidence in an effort to locate inaccuracies, or even find evidence that was initially overlooked.

Our Tacoma burglary lawyers will also examine this evidence to ensure it was obtained lawfully, and this is yet another way our attorneys take steps to protect your legal rights. We are not here to judge your actions, but rather work diligently to defend your legal interests and help you in accordance with Washington law.

Our Tacoma lawyers offer convenient payment plans, so you can benefit from the experienced of a professional attorney as you negotiate this difficult process. Schedule your free case evaluation today and take steps to protect your future.