Burglary

Baltimore Burglary Defense

According to Maryland state law, burglary is defined as the act of entering a building, trailer, motor vehicle, aircraft, etc. without the owner’s permission with the intent of stealing something (or committing another felony). While burglary charges in Maryland are generally considered to be Class 2 felonies, should the event take place in a school or place of worship, it will be elevated to a Class 1 felony, which carries significantly harsher sentences.
Like other felony charges, a conviction of burglary can result in permanent marks on the convict’s record, hefty fines and/or jail time. Those accused of burglary in the Baltimore area can ensure optimal outcomes for their case by securing the services of the experienced Baltimore criminal defense attorney David B. Shapiro. Mr. Shapiro’s goal is to help all clients get the charges against them reduced, if not dropped altogether, so they can move on with their lives.

Types of Burglary Charges

Burglary charges differ from case to case. The most common types of burglary charges include:

• Burglary, in which someone enters a watercraft, aircraft or other piece of property without the owner’s consent in an effort to take his property. Burglary convictions typically carry 3 to 7 year prison sentences, unless the convict has not been convicted of a Class 2 felony (or greater) in the past 10 years. In these cases, the convict may be sentenced to 4 years of probation, as an alternative to jail time.
• Residential burglary, in which an individual enters (or gains entry within) any part of another person’s dwelling with the intent to steal property (or commit some other felony). Considered to be far more serious than burglary, residential burglary is a Class 1 felony that is punishable by 4 to 15 years in prison.
• Possession of burglary tools, in which a person is in possession of any piece of equipment (explosives, keys, etc.) that can be used to break into another individual’s dwelling, watercraft, aircraft, etc. Generally, a possession of burglary tools charges is paired with a burglary or a residential burglary charge. On its own, a possession of burglary tools charge is a Class 4 felony that carries a 1 to 3 year prison sentence.

If you or a loved one has been charged with any of the above charges related to burglary, contact Baltimore burglary attorney David B. Shapiro to receive a strong defense. Mr. Shapiro is committed to offering the best possible defense and believes that a strong case starts with building a personalized relationship with the client.

To discuss the details of your case directly with Mr. Shapiro, call the Law Offices of David B. Shapiro at (410) 576-9100 today.

Baltimore Robbery Defense

As one of the most common property crimes committed in Baltimore, robbery is a severe charge that can result in prison sentences upwards of 50 years, depending on the nature of the crime.

For the best chances of minimal or no conviction, it is essential that those accused of robbery in Baltimore and surrounding areas consult with an experienced robbery lawyer at the Law Offices of David B. Shapiro.

For years, Mr. Shapiro has provided aggressive defense representation to persons charged with robbery. To discuss your case in a free consultation, contact our law offices today.

Types of Robbery Charges in Baltimore

As with murder or arson, robbery charges in Baltimore can vary drastically from case to case, depending on a number of factors. For robbery specifically, some of the mitigating factors may involve whether:

• Force was used (including verbal threats) during the act
• A weapon or firearm is used during the act
• The defendant invaded the home of another individual during the act
• The defendant is accused of illegally taking a motor vehicle

In the event that a motor vehicle is the allegedly stolen property, the accused will be charged with burglary, rather than some type of robbery.

The various types of robbery charges include:

• Robbery, in which an individual is accused of taking another person’s property via use of force. Classified as a Class 2 felony, robbery typically carries a 3 to 7 year prison sentence in the state of Illinois. Robbery charges may be elevated to Class 1 felonies if they are committed in a school or place of worship; or if they are committed against handicapped or elderly individuals (i.e. those over 60 years old).
• Aggravated robbery, in which an individual is accused of unlawfully taking another person’s property by stating or suggesting through their actions that they have a weapon or firearm. Aggravated robbery convictions are punishable by anywhere from 4 to 30 years in prison.
• Armed robbery, in which an individual is accused of using a dangerous weapon (not merely just a firearm) to illegally take another person’s property. While armed robbery convictions usually carry 6 to 30 year prison sentences, when someone is hurt or killed during this act, the charges can be elevated, and sentences can be up to 60 years in prison.

How Mr. Shapiro Can Help You

Mr. Shapiro focuses his practice on protecting the rights of the accused by:

• Thoroughly re-examining all of the opposing evidence in the case, including witness statements, to look for any possible incongruities and/or fallacies
• Scrutinizing the facts of the case to find new evidence that will bolster the defense
• Finding ballistics experts, forensic scientists and other specialists who can provide expert testimony (to further strengthen the defense), when necessary in legal proceedings
• Representing the defendant in all necessary legal proceedings, including bail hearings, trial proceedings and parole violation proceedings.

Contact Us for your Free Consultation

410-576-9100 dshapirolaw@aol.com