Being charged with burglary in California is a serious problem in and of itself. But the way the law works, it is quite likely if you are ever arrested in connection with a burglary, you will also be charged with other crimes as well. So, in addition to the possible penalties that could be assessed for a burglary conviction, the ancillary charges could make matters that much worse.
Take for example a recent situation that played out one rainy day in Yorba Linda. Orange County sheriff’s deputies were alerted by citizens about a suspicious parked car and two men running out of a house. Upon their arrival, police arrested a woman who was in the car. The officers then set about trying to apprehend the other suspects.
A helicopter and police dogs were dispatched by the Sheriff’s Department to aid in the search. Very soon, three male suspects were captured. The deputies recovered collectors coins and jewelry which they believe the suspects took from a house in the area. The goods were returned to their owner.
The four individuals were arrested on suspicion of not only burglary, but also possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, and conspiracy. That is four different charges all related to a single alleged burglary.
If you should ever face multiple charges for an alleged criminal act, it is best to have an attorney who understands how to effectively negotiate a plea bargain. Often when multiple charges are involved, it is possible to have some of them dropped in exchange for accepting a plea deal. By doing this, you could avoid going to court where you risk being given far more severe penalties. An experienced attorney can work in an effort to make sure you get the best outcome possible.
Source: The Orange County Register, “After muddy chase, sheriff’s deputies arrest 4 on suspicion of burglary,” Chris, Harie, Jan. 11, 2017