Practice Area

Burglary & Home Invasion Defense

Burglary and home invasion charges in Missouri carry serious prison time. Jeff Goldfarb provides the aggressive defense you need to protect your future.

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Missouri Burglary Law

Missouri law defines burglary as knowingly entering a building or inhabitable structure unlawfully for the purpose of committing a crime inside. First-degree burglary — which involves an occupied dwelling or the presence of a weapon — is a Class B felony carrying 5 to 15 years in prison. Second-degree burglary is a Class D felony. Home invasion, which involves forcibly entering an occupied home, is treated with particular severity by Missouri courts.

The Role of Intent

Burglary requires proof of criminal intent at the time of entry. The government must prove not only that you entered unlawfully, but that you intended to commit a crime inside. Challenging the intent element is often a central part of the defense — particularly in cases where the alleged entry was ambiguous or where the defendant had a legitimate reason to be on the property.

Related Charges

Burglary charges frequently come with additional charges including stealing, assault, armed criminal action, and property damage. The combination of charges can result in stacked sentences that add up to decades in prison. Jeff evaluates every charge individually and develops a strategy that addresses the full picture.

Defense Strategies

Jeff investigates the circumstances of the alleged entry, reviews surveillance footage and physical evidence, challenges eyewitness identifications, and scrutinizes the conduct of the investigation. Many burglary cases rest on circumstantial evidence, and Jeff knows how to expose the weaknesses in the prosecution case.