Burglary

Burglary is one of the more serious property crimes in Mississippi. Under Mississippi law, burglary requires the state to prove that you broke into and entered a structure with the intent to commit a crime inside. Both elements — the breaking and entering, and the criminal intent at the time of entry — must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

How Burglary Is Charged

Mississippi distinguishes between burglary of a dwelling (a residence) and burglary of other structures. Burglary of a dwelling carries higher penalties. The charge level also depends on whether anyone was present, whether a weapon was involved, and the nature of the alleged underlying criminal intent.

Breaking and entering — sometimes charged when entry occurred but the intent element is harder for the state to establish — is a related but distinct charge. Robbery, which involves taking property directly from a person by force or threat, carries its own elements and penalties.

Key Evidence Questions

Burglary defense often focuses on the intent element, since intent at the time of entry is something the prosecution must prove — not simply infer from the fact that entry occurred. Kerry Bryson examines how evidence was gathered, what witnesses actually observed, what physical evidence shows about how and when entry took place, and whether the state can connect criminal intent to the moment of entry rather than events that followed.

Identification is a common issue in burglary cases. The quality of eyewitness accounts, the circumstances of any identification procedure, and whether video or other evidence actually places the right person at the scene are all questions worth examining.

Talk to Kerry About Your Case

Call 662-205-0008 or contact the firm for a free consultation. Payment plans are available.