Burglary Lawyer Lexington — Defending Against Breaking and Entering Charges
Burglary in Lexington is a serious felony under Va. Code § 18.2-89, carrying up to life imprisonment. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. provides a strong defense for burglary charges in Lexington General District and Circuit Courts. Our team includes former prosecutors and a former Virginia State Trooper. We offer 24/7 phone consultations.
Last verified: April 2026 | Lexington General District Court | Virginia General Assembly
Virginia Burglary Law and Penalties
Burglary, defined in Va. Code § 18.2-89, is the breaking and entering of a dwelling house at night with intent to commit a felony. It is a Class 3 felony, punishable by 5 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. A conviction creates a permanent felony record. The statute is prosecuted in Lexington by the Commonwealth’s Attorney, with cases beginning in Lexington General District Court for preliminary hearings before moving to Lexington Circuit Court for trial.
Official Legal Resources
For the official Virginia burglary statute, see the Virginia General Assembly website (Va. Code § 18.2-89). Court information, including dockets and procedures for Lexington, is available at the Lexington General District Court website.
Defending a Lexington Burglary Case
In Lexington, burglary cases are aggressively prosecuted. A key local procedural fact is that the Commonwealth must prove both the breaking and entering *and* the specific intent to commit a felony inside at the time of entry. Defense often focuses on challenging the evidence of intent or the identification of the accused. The Lexington General District Court handles initial appearances and preliminary hearings, while felony trials occur in Lexington Circuit Court.
- Secure immediate legal representation after arrest or charge.
- Your attorney will file for discovery to obtain all prosecution evidence.
- A preliminary hearing in Lexington General District Court will be scheduled to determine probable cause.
- If bound over, your case proceeds to Lexington Circuit Court for arraignment and pre-trial motions.
- Your defense lawyer will negotiate for reduction or dismissal, or prepare for trial.
- A jury trial in Circuit Court is your right if a plea agreement is not reached.
Potential Penalties for Burglary in Lexington
In Lexington, burglary is a Class 3 felony carrying a prison sentence of 5 to 20 years and a fine of up to $100,000.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary (Va. Code § 18.2-89) | Class 3 Felony | 5 – 20 years | Up to $100,000 | None directly | Permanent felony record, loss of voting rights, firearm restrictions, difficulty finding employment/housing. |
| Statutory Burglary (Daytime, etc.) | Class 3 Felony | 5 – 20 years | Up to $100,000 | None directly | Same as above. |
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Our Experience in Criminal Defense
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. was founded in 1997 by former prosecutor Mr. Sris. Our firm has over 120 years of combined legal experience and a documented record of over firm-wide 4,739 case results with a 93%+ favorable outcome rate. We have specific experience defending against felony charges in Virginia courts. Our team includes attorneys like Bryan Block, a former Virginia State Trooper with 15 years of law enforcement experience, providing unique insight into the prosecution’s case.
Matthew Greene, Senior Defense Attorney at Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Licensed in VA. 30+ years criminal defense. Death penalty certified (formerly). View Matthew Greene’s Profile
Case Results
Our firm has a documented record of 14 total case results across all practice areas in Lexington with a 100% favorable outcome rate. In related criminal matters, our attorneys have successfully achieved outcomes such as charges being amended from driving on a suspended license to a non-driving violation, and securing termination of probation for clients facing federal probation violations.
Results may vary. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Burglary Lawyer Near Lexington, VA
Our Richmond location serves clients facing charges at the Lexington courts at 2 South Main Street. We are accessible via I-81 and I-64. We serve the Lexington community and surrounding areas. We offer 24/7 phone consultations — meetings are by appointment only.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Richmond
7400 Beaufont Springs Dr Suite 300 Room 359, Richmond, VA 23225
Toll-Free: (888) 437-7747 | Local: (804)201-9009
By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for a misdemeanor in Lexington, Virginia?
A Class 1 misdemeanor in Lexington carries up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. A Class 2 misdemeanor: up to 6 months/$1,000. Common charges include assault and battery (§ 18.2-57), petit larceny under $1,000 (§ 18.2-96), and driving on suspended (§ 46.2-301). Cases heard at Lexington General District Court (2 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450). 14 total documented case results across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate).
Can criminal charges be expunged in Lexington, Virginia?
Virginia allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, and nolle prosequi under Va. Code § 19.2-392.2. Most convictions cannot be expunged. The petition is filed in Lexington Circuit Court. First-offense marijuana possession may qualify through deferred disposition. 14 total documented case results across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate).
How does bail work in Lexington, Virginia?
A magistrate sets bond after arrest. Personal recognizance (no payment) is common for first-offense misdemeanors in Lexington. Secured bond (bail bondsman charges ~10%) is typical for felonies. Bond can be appealed to Lexington General District Court. Bond amount set by magistrate at arrest — personal recognizance for many first-offense misdemeanors; secured bond typical for felonies (bail bondsman charges approximately 10%); public defender eligibility based on income; court-appointed attorney fee: $120 (misdemeanor) to $445+ (felony).
Do I need a criminal defense lawyer in Lexington, Virginia?
Criminal charges in Lexington are prosecuted by the Commonwealth’s Attorney and heard at Lexington General District Court (2 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450). Even misdemeanors carry up to 12 months jail and create a permanent criminal record visible to employers. 14 total documented case results across all practice areas (100% favorable outcome rate) Contact SRIS 24/7 at (888) 437-7747 for a Consultation by appointment.
What is the difference between GDC and Circuit Court in Lexington?
Lexington General District Court handles misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Lexington Circuit Court handles felony jury trials and appeals from GDC. You have an absolute right to a jury trial in Circuit Court for any offense carrying jail time. Lexington General District Court (2 South Main Street, Lexington, VA 24450) is the GDC location.
If you are facing burglary charges, contact a burglary lawyer Lexington from Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. today. We provide a strong defense against breaking and entering charges.
Internal Links: For more information, see our Virginia Criminal Defense hub page. We also assist clients in nearby areas like Henrico County. If you have related charges, consider our Lexington DUI defense services.
Last verified: April 2026. Laws change — contact Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. at (888) 437-7747 for current guidance.