Break and Enter Lawyer in Oakville

In most criminal law statutes, breaking is defined as using force to gain unlawful entry onto land or an enclosed property structure. Such an occurrence will be prosecuted as Break And Enter Defence, similar to criminal trespassing charges.

Furthermore, breaking does not always imply that a property has been destroyed or “broken.” Even if the defendant just pushed open an unlocked door to gain access to the property, criminal charges can still be filed. If a defendant bribed or deceived a security guard to obtain access to a commercial building, they could face charges.

Finally, while the differences will be examined in greater depth below, it is crucial to remember that breaking does not always imply burglary. To be charged with burglary, the defendant must have entered the building or dwelling to conduct another felony.

To secure a breaking charge, the prosecutor must prove several elements.

In general, this could include the following:

• Unauthorized entry;
• into another’s building or property;
• with the use of force, deception, or property damage;
• and without the building and/or property owner’s approval or authorization.

In most provinces, the defendant does not have to physically “break” or “force” their way into a property to be prosecuted for breaking in. If the other elements are fulfilled, any unlawfully gained entry into a building may be considered breaking.

For example, a defendant can be charged with breaking if they climb a tree and enter a second-floor window that was previously opened without the owner’s permission.

The penalties that a person may face if convicted of breaking can be severe.

The following is a list of possible consequences for a breaking conviction:

• A set amount of time jail or in prison (typically a year or more);
• fines ranging from $1,000 to $100,000;
• probation or parole;
• and restitution.

It’s also worth noting that if the charge results in a conviction, the offence will be kept on the person’s criminal record for the rest of their life. This can have serious consequences, such as preventing you from voting in elections or obtaining custody of your children.

Breaking is a legal offence that might be difficult to prove. Such cases, for example, frequently include burglary charges as well. This can make a case considerably more complex to handle, requiring the use of legal advisers.

Contact our FMK Law Group lawyers for legal advice in Oakville and surrounding areas.

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