Under Illinois law, burglary is an extremely serious crime—and the punishments can vary from supervision to an extended stay in the Cook County Jail or in prison.
What is Burglary in Illinois?
According to 720 ILCS 5/19-1, “A person commits burglary when without authority he or she knowingly enters or without authority remains within a building, housetrailer, watercraft, aircraft, motor vehicle, railroad car, or any part thereof, with intent to commit therein a felony or theft.”
Illinois Punishments for Burglary Convictions
If you’re convicted of burglary, which is a Class 2 felony, the judge could sentence you to prison for between 3 and 7 years. If you receive an extended term sentence, you could go to prison for 7 to 14 years.
An extended term sentence is typically given if certain aggravated factors are present, such as:
- Prior criminal convictions
- When the crime is a hate crime
- When a victim is over the age of 60
However, burglary becomes a Class 1 felony if you commit it in a:
- School
- Daycare center
- Daycare home
- Group daycare home
- A part-day childcare facility
- A place of worship
If you’re convicted of burglary as a Class 1 felony, the judge could sentence you to between 4 and 15 years in prison. If you receive an extended term sentence, you’re facing between 15 and 30 years in prison.
What to Do if You’re Accused of Burglary in Rolling Meadows
If the police arrest you for burglary in Rolling Meadows, Skokie, Schaumburg or Chicago, you need an experienced former prosecutor on your side. Most people find it helpful to talk to a burglary defense lawyer in Rolling Meadows (or in the city in which they were charged) who can walk them through the process and who knows what the prosecution will look for when attempting to prove guilt.
Call us at 847-920-4540 immediately for a free case evaluation. We’ll examine your burglary charges and begin developing a solid defense that gets you the best possible outcome right away.
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