Call For A Consultation 318-377-1555
Call For A Consultation 318-377-1555
Louisiana’s burglary penalties are harsh, even for simple burglary charges that don’t involve any aggravating factors. If you find yourself facing a burglary charge, you must begin thinking about how to get yourself out of the situation. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Instead, you can turn to a Bossier City burglary defense lawyer.
As a local law firm, the John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC, is up to date on the right burglary defense strategies based on recent cases and Louisiana law. Our Bossier City criminal defense attorneys are committed to protecting our clients’ freedoms in the face of the criminal justice system. You can count on us to provide honest counsel and aggressive advocacy.
In Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, & Ruston, LA
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318-377-1555The burglary rate in Louisiana has been consistently higher than the national average for over a decade. In 2024, 17.7 percent of property crimes reported across the state were burglaries.
Burglary is considered a property crime because it doesn’t necessarily have to involve contact with another party. Under federal law, burglary is defined as the unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit theft or a felony.
There are different charges depending on whether or not a dwelling is inhabited at the time of the crime. The use of a weapon or any threat of violence can also escalate a burglary charge to aggravated burglary.
Simple burglary is the least severe burglary charge you can receive in Bossier City. It is still typically classified as a felony under Louisiana law.
It’s estimated that burglary crimes in 2025 alone resulted in a total of $2,543,349 in losses in Bossier City. This includes criminal justice system costs, direct costs to victims, and lost economic contributions from convicted offenders.
Louisiana prosecutes these types of crimes harshly, so it’s imperative that you know what steps to take to form the right burglary defense strategies based on the facts of your specific case. A Bossier City burglary defense attorney can help you understand your options for forming your defensive strategy.
If you’re facing burglary charges in Bossier City, Louisiana, it’s wise to hire a burglary defense lawyer who has experience with state criminal defense laws. Our team at the John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC has been licensed by the Louisiana State Bar since 1993, and we’ve been helping our clients throughout northern Louisiana ever since.
With over 30 years of experience under our belt, we have a thorough understanding of criminal law and a passion for serving our clients across Bossier City, Shreveport, Monroe, and Ruston.
Our skilled attorneys are backed by experienced support staff that is ready to make navigating your case as smooth as possible. Our law firm has earned a great reputation over the years, including:
Aggravating factors can escalate a simple burglary charge to aggravated burglary in Bossier City. You can be charged with simple burglary for entering a building or structure with the intent to commit theft or another felony.
You can be charged with aggravated burglary instead if the building or dwelling is inhabited at the time of the crime and you have a dangerous weapon, or if you commit a battery.
Burglary is different from robbery and theft under Louisiana law because they are distinct criminal charges. Burglary is a property crime that involves unauthorized entry on someone else’s property.
You can be charged even if you don’t take anything. Theft involves taking or trying to take someone else’s property without direct force. Robbery is a type of theft crime, but it is also a crime of violence because it involves force or the threat of force.
How long you can go to jail for burglary in Bossier City depends on the details of the charges against you. You can expect to face serious burglary penalties regardless of the severity of the crime.
Even a simple burglary, which is the least serious charge you can get, carries a maximum sentence of 12 years. It’s wise to hire a burglary defense lawyer to advocate for you through aggressive pre-trial motions or secure plea bargains for a lesser sentence.
What burglary defense strategies you can use in your case in Bossier City is ultimately going to depend on the facts of the case. It’s possible to build your defense by invalidating the prosecution’s case against you.
You can also gather evidence that establishes enough reasonable doubt about whether or not you’re guilty. Common defenses include alibi, consent to be on the premises, lack of intent, mistaken identity, mistake of fact, and no actual entry.
If you’re facing burglary charges in Louisiana, it’s wise to get in touch with a local criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Going up against the criminal justice system can be daunting, and a Bossier City burglary defense lawyer can advocate for you and protect your rights in and out of the courtroom.
The John D. & Eric G. Johnson Law Firm, LLC has been defending Louisianans in criminal cases for over three decades. We’re familiar with navigating these types of cases through the Bossier City Court and the 26th Judicial District Court, depending on the level of charges brought against you. Our team is highly respected in courtrooms throughout northern Louisiana.
If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail, reach out to our office to set up an appointment with a trusted attorney today. We’re located on Main Street in Minden when you’re ready to get started.
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