Under Nevada law, burglary is a felony that carries serious penalties ― up to 15 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines, depending on the facts of the case. A felony charge on your record could also have negative long-term consequences, impacting your ability to get a job, find housing, or buy a car.
With so much on the line, you need a criminal defense lawyer immediately if you’re facing burglary charges in Nevada. The Las Vegas criminal defense law firm of Adras & Altig will vigorously uphold your rights and fight to keep you out of jail if you’re in this frightening position.
With nearly 40 years of combined experience, our burglary attorneys provide clients with the top-tier legal help we would expect from our own lawyers if we were accused of a crime. We take a collaborative approach to client service, putting our talents and experience to work for you as we fight aggressively to clear your name and protect your freedom.
Want straightforward legal advice? Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted burglary defense lawyer.
What Is Considered Burglary Under Nevada Law?
Nevada recently overhauled many of the state’s criminal laws, including the definition of burglary and similar crimes. Under Section 205.060 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), burglary is broadly defined as the crime of unlawfully entering or remaining in a home, business, other structure, or vehicle.
What Are the Types of Burglary?
Under § 205.060 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS), the crime of burglary involves unlawful entry into almost any structure, including the following:
There are a few crimes that are related to burglary or breaking and entering. These include:
- Invasion of the home – Per NRS Section 205.067, invasion of the home is the crime of forcibly entering someone’s home without the permission of the owner, resident, or lawful occupant. You can be convicted of home invasion regardless of whether or not anyone was in the home when you broke in.
- Burglary with explosives – Per NRS Section 205.075, this is the crime of breaking into any building, inhabited or not, and opening or attempting to open a safe, vault, or other secure area using explosive devices.
- Possession of instrument with burglarious intent – According to NRS Section 205.080, possessing tools that could be used in a burglary or related crimes is a gross misdemeanor.
To be considered burglary, the unlawful entry must take place with the intent to commit a felony, such as the following:
- Petit larceny – Stealing less than $1,200 in money or items
- Grand larceny – Stealing $1,200 or more in money or items
- Battery – Physically harmful or offensive contact with another person
- Assault – Intentionally threatening another person with imminent physical harm
- Other felony crimes – Crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and arson, which are punishable by a minimum of one year in prison under Nevada law
- Obtaining money or property under false pretenses – Lying to someone to take their money or other possessions in a residential burglary
Burglary does not necessarily have to involve breaking and entering. Offenders who simply trespass through unsecured doors or windows can be charged with burglary. Burglary also does not have to involve committing any offense after unlawfully entering. Prosecutors only have to prove that someone had the intent to commit larceny or another offense listed under § 205.060 at the time of entry.