Burglary Attorney in Coshocton

Facing A Burglary Charge In Coshocton County? Hire an Experienced Lawyer

If you have been accused of burglary in Coshocton, you are facing a serious felony charge that can affect every part of your life. Prison time, a permanent record, and damage to your reputation are all very real possibilities. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, scared, and unsure what to do next.

At Cross Law Office, LLC, we focus on guiding people through criminal cases in Coshocton County and the surrounding area. Our team defends between 500 and 600 criminal cases every year, so we routinely appear in the Coshocton County Municipal Court and the Coshocton County Court of Common Pleas. We work to explain your options clearly so you are not facing this alone.

If you are looking for a burglary attorney in Coshocton who understands both Ohio law and the local courts, we are here to talk through your situation. You can reach our office online or call at (740) 997-2004 to schedule a confidential consultation.

Understanding Burglary Laws in Ohio

In Ohio, burglary is governed primarily by Ohio Revised Code (ORC) § 2911.12. It is important to understand that burglary is not the same as simple theft. While theft involves taking someone’s property, burglary focuses on the unlawful entry into a structure with the intent to commit any criminal offense once inside. You can be charged with burglary even if you didn't actually steal anything.

Burglary

The law categorizes burglary based on the type of structure involved and whether people were present.

• Second-Degree Felony Burglary: This occurs when a person trespasses in an "occupied structure" (a place where someone lives or stays) when another person is present, with the intent to commit a crime.
• Third-Degree Felony Burglary: This involves trespassing in an occupied structure with the intent to commit any criminal offense, regardless of whether a person is actually present at the time.
• Fourth-Degree Felony Burglary: Often referred to as "trespass in a habitation," this applies when someone enters a home when another person is present or likely to be present, even if there was no specific intent to commit another crime.

Aggravated Burglary

This is the most serious form of the charge, classified as a First-Degree Felony. Burglary becomes "aggravated" if, during the trespass, the offender:

• Inflicts, attempts, or threatens to inflict physical harm on another person; or
• Has a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance on their person or under their control.

Breaking and Entering

It is common for a Coshocton burglary defense lawyer to look for ways to reduce a charge to "Breaking and Entering." This is a fifth-degree felony and usually applies when the structure involved is unoccupied—such as a shed, a detached garage, or a commercial building after hours—with the intent to commit a theft or felony.

Penalties and Collateral Consequences of Burglary Convictions in Ohio

The consequences of a burglary conviction in Ohio are swift and severe. Because these are categorized as "crimes of violence" or "offenses against the person" in many contexts, the court has very little leniency.

• First-Degree Felony (Aggravated Burglary): 3 to 11 years in prison and fines up to $20,000.
• Second-Degree Felony: 2 to 8 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.
• Third-Degree Felony: 9 to 36 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.
• Fourth-Degree Felony: 6 to 18 months in prison and fines up to $5,000.

The Lasting Impact

A felony conviction on your record acts as a permanent barrier to your future. You will likely face:

• Housing Restrictions: Most landlords will not rent to individuals with a felony burglary conviction due to liability concerns.
• Employment Loss: You may be barred from working in schools, financial institutions, or any position involving trust or entry into private homes.
• Loss of Rights: You lose your right to vote (while incarcerated) and your right to ever own a firearm in the state of Ohio.
• Post-Release Control: Even after leaving prison, you will be subject to years of supervision by the Adult Parole Authority, where one minor slip-up could send you back to jail.

Why Choose Our Coshocton Defense Team

Our team at Cross Law Office, LLC is based in Noble County and Coshocton County, and we routinely represent clients in the Coshocton County courts. That local presence matters. It lets us explain what you can expect when you appear in the Coshocton County Municipal Court for an initial hearing or when a felony case is handled in the Court of Common Pleas.

Our lead attorney, Beau W. Cross, is licensed to practice law in Ohio and has been representing clients since 2017. He earned his Juris Doctor from Ohio Northern University Claude W. Pettit College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University. 

He has been selected to Rising Stars from 2023 through 2026, and he is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and the Ohio Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. These credentials show our ongoing commitment to criminal defense work in this state.

Communication is another reason many clients choose us. We use MyCase, an online platform that lets you review documents, see upcoming court dates, and send secure messages from your phone or computer. Our goal is for you to know what is happening in your case without waiting for a call or letter.

How Our Team Builds Your Defense

Every burglary case in Coshocton is unique, shaped by the allegations, evidence, and your personal circumstances. Our attorneys begin by thoroughly reviewing the complaint, police reports, and any available video, photographs, or physical evidence. We carefully examine how the investigation was conducted and whether your rights were respected, building a defense strategy tailored to the specific facts of your case.

We explore all potential defense strategies, including questions of identity, permission to be on the property, or intent to commit a crime. We also assess how evidence was obtained and whether challenges to searches or statements are appropriate. With regular experience in Coshocton County courts, we can evaluate the strength of the evidence, advise on negotiation or trial options, and maintain clear communication so you always know the status of your case.

At Cross Law Office, LLC, we take a proactive approach to your defense. Our firm doesn't wait for the prosecution to hand over evidence; we go out and find it ourselves.

• Challenging Witness Credibility: Burglary cases often rely on neighbors or bystanders who claim to have seen someone. We scrutinize their line of sight, the lighting conditions, and any biases they may have.
• Proving Lack of Intent: If you entered a structure for a non-criminal reason—perhaps you thought it was abandoned, or you were looking for a place to get out of the cold—you are not guilty of burglary. We focus on highlighting the lack of criminal "purpose" in your actions.
• Alibi Defense: We use GPS data, cell phone records, and witness testimony to prove you were somewhere else at the time the crime occurred.
• Suppression of Evidence: If the police recovered "stolen" items through an illegal search of your home or car, we fight to have that evidence thrown out of court.

Talk To A Burglary Lawyer in Coshocton

If you or a loved one is facing a burglary charge, you do not have to navigate the Coshocton County court system on your own. Speaking with a local defense firm that regularly handles felony cases can help you understand your options and protect your future. Our attorneys at Cross Law Office, LLC are here to listen, review the accusations, and outline possible paths forward.

When you contact us, we typically start by discussing the charges, your upcoming court dates, and any questions you have about what happens next. We explain how we approach burglary defense, how we use MyCase to keep you informed, and how our experience with hundreds of criminal cases each year may benefit you.

Call (740) 997-2004 or reach out online to talk with our burglary attorney in Coshocton.