Tulsa Burglary Defense Lawyers

Penalties for Burglary in Oklahoma

Being convicted of burglary in Tulsa can lead to severe penalties that vary depending on the degree of the crime committed. The consequences are more profound for repeat offenders and can dramatically affect your future.

• First-degree burglary: Conviction of a first-degree burglary, considered the most severe, generally leads to a prison sentence ranging from seven to twenty years. The presence of people in the dwelling or use of a dangerous weapon or explosives during the crime amplifies the severity of the sentence.
• Second-degree burglary: For second-degree burglary, where the crime involves unlawful entry into a car, business outside operating hours, or an unoccupied dwelling, the convicted individual may face a prison term of two to seven years, along with substantial fines.
• Third-degree burglary: Although not explicitly defined in Oklahoma statutes, third-degree burglary typically refers to less severe instances of burglary, like breaking into an unoccupied building. Even so, it's treated seriously, and a conviction can lead to a prison term of up to five years.

It's imperative to remember that in addition to these legal penalties, a burglary conviction can have life-lasting impacts, such as difficulty finding employment or housing due to a felony record. Therefore, a solid defense with experienced Tulsa burglary defense attorneys becomes crucial.

How to Challenge Burglary Charges in Tulsa

At Enlow Law, our attorneys leverage a number of strategies to challenge burglary charges effectively. Our first step is always to conduct a thorough review of the case, examining the specifics of the alleged incident, the evidence presented by the prosecution, and any potential violations of your constitutional rights. From there, we can tailor a defense strategy to your unique situation. 

Common defenses against burglary charges include:

• Lack of Intent: The prosecution must prove that you intended to commit a crime at the time of unlawful entry. If we can demonstrate that you had no such intent, this could lead to a dismissal of the charges.
• Innocence: Evidence such as video surveillance, witnesses, or an alibi could prove that you were not present at the scene of the crime, thereby establishing your innocence.
• Misidentification: Mistaken identity is quite common in burglary cases. We can challenge the accuracy of eyewitness identifications, which can create reasonable doubt.
• Violation of Rights: If law enforcement violated your rights during the investigation or arrest, such as conducting an unlawful search and seizure or denying your right to an attorney, we can move to have the resulting evidence excluded, weakening the prosecution's case.
• Consent: If you had permission to enter the property, we can argue that the entry was not unlawful, which is a necessary component of a burglary charge.

Our team's objective is to minimize the impact of burglary charges on your life and put forward the best possible defense for your case.