Burglary Charges in Manassas

Burglary charges in Manassas are serious offenses and can be punished with up to life in prison if the offender was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of the breaking and entering.

A Manassas Burglary is breaking and entering into another person’s dwelling house at nighttime to commit a larceny or felony therein.  Burglary is complete when entry is made with felonious intent.  The offender can be convicted of a Manassas Burglary even if he did not actually commit the intended larceny or felony.  Additionally, if the offender did commit the larceny or felony,  he can be convicted of both Burglary and the other crime.

Proof Required for Burglary Charges in Manassas

Burglary Charges in Manassas Can be Punished with up to Life in Prison

To convict an offender of a Manassas Burglary, the Commonwealth must prove:

• a breaking and entering
• of another person’s
• dwelling house
• at night
• to commit a larceny or felony

Breaking means using force against a dwelling house to gain entry.

Entering is an intrusion into the interior space of a dwelling house.

The Commonwealth must prove that the dwelling house was occupied by another person to convict an offender of a Manassas Burglary charge.

A dwelling house is a structure in which a person usually lodges at night.

A Burglary can only be committed at night, meaning between sunset and sunrise.

The Commonwealth must also prove an intent to commit a larceny or felony, even if the larceny or felony was not committed.

Penalty for Burglary Charges in Manassas

A Burglary charge in Manassas is punished with 5-20 years in prison and a fine up to $100,000.  If the offender was armed with a deadly weapon, the offense is punished with 20 years up to life in prison.

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