Westchester County · PL 140.20
Burglary in the Third Degree Lawyer in Westchester County — Westchester Family Court
Burglary 3rd degree NY (third degree burglary in New York) requires knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime inside. Entry and remaining are alternative routes, unlawful presence alone does not establish the required criminal intent, and the possible burglary 3rd degree NY sentence is shown below; a New York burglary lawyer can review the permission and intent questions early.
Has your loved one been arrested or taken into police custody?
Text us immediately · (845) 290-2492One mistake should not define your life
Being charged is not the same as being guilty. An accusation can leave you worried about your family, your job, and your future. You deserve to be heard and treated as a person, not a case number. One mistake should not define who you are, and an accusation should not erase the rest of your story.
If you or a loved one is facing Burglary in the Third Degree allegations connected with Westchester Family Court in Westchester County, Yvonne is ready to help you understand the charge and the next steps. You do not have to face this uncertainty without guidance.
How this charge moves through this court
Westchester Family Court is located at White Plains: 111 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., White Plains, NY 10601 · Yonkers: 131 Warburton Avenue, 3rd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701 · New Rochelle: 26 Garden Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801. Check the date and location on your court papers and confirm any changes with your attorney. This court's role depends on the charge and stage of the case; this page does not mean that every charge is tried here.
Family Court does not try adult criminal prosecutions. A criminal accusation can overlap with family matters such as an order of protection; Yvonne can help you understand how the proceedings relate and which court will address each matter.
What happens at your first appearance
Before your appearance at Westchester Family Court, Yvonne can review your papers, explain the purpose of the hearing, and prepare you for questions the judge may ask. At a criminal arraignment, she can explain the accusation and advocate for release or appropriate conditions where the law allows. The court decides; release without bail cannot be promised.
If an order of protection or another court condition is already in place, follow it even if you disagree and ask your attorney about anything unclear. Do not assume you may skip an appearance because you have counsel; confirm whether you must attend.
Definition under New York law
PL 140.20 · Original statutory wording; excerpts must be read together with the full section.
§ 140.20 Burglary in the third degree. A person is guilty of burglary in the third degree when he knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime therein. Burglary in the third degree is a class D felony.Read the full section at the New York State SenateIn everyday language
Burglary 3rd degree NY (third degree burglary in New York) requires knowingly entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with intent to commit a crime inside. Entry and remaining are alternative routes, unlawful presence alone does not establish the required criminal intent, and the possible burglary 3rd degree NY sentence is shown below; a New York burglary lawyer can review the permission and intent questions early.
At a criminal trial, the prosecutor must prove every element of the charged subsection and that you committed the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. An accusation is not proof of guilt. Where the statute provides alternatives, the prosecutor need not prove every alternative; the charged theory matters. Affirmative defenses may have different proof rules.
CPL § 70.20What the prosecutor must prove
The points below explain the legal requirements behind this accusation. They are not findings that you did anything wrong. Yvonne can compare each requirement with the evidence in your case and explain what it means for your defense.
- The prosecutor must prove every required element beyond a reasonable doubt.
- The person accused knowingly entered unlawfully or knowingly remained unlawfully in a building. Entry and remaining are alternatives, not cumulative requirements.
- The person accused had the intent to commit a crime inside the building in connection with that unlawful entry or remaining.
Defenses that commonly apply
A defense is not one-size-fits-all. These are issues an attorney may explore, not promises that a particular defense will apply. What happened before, during, and after the alleged incident can be important.
- Did the person accused have permission or other lawful authority to enter or remain?
- What evidence shows that the person accused knew the entry or remaining was unlawful?
- What evidence establishes an intent to commit a crime inside during the relevant entry or remaining?
Penalties and collateral consequences
Maximum penalties are not a prediction of your sentence. The applicable law, your record, the evidence, and the resolution of the case all matter. Before making a decision, discuss possible effects on your work, family, driver's license, or immigration status, where relevant.
A Class D Felony carries a maximum sentence of up to 7 years and a fine of up to $5,000.
An experienced attorney, a strategy built around you
Yvonne Garbett has 24 years of experience as an attorney, admitted in 2002. She served as an Assistant District Attorney from 2002–2006 and has practiced criminal defense privately since 2006. She brings a prosecutor's perspective to evaluating the evidence and building a defense. She is ready to listen, explain your options, and work strategically with you toward the best possible result given your circumstances.
If the police made a mistake, the truth matters
Police reports do not always tell the whole story. If you believe an officer misunderstood what happened, identified the wrong person, or left out important facts, tell Yvonne. She can examine the available evidence, look for inconsistencies, and work to bring the truth to light. The defense depends on what the evidence actually shows, not assumptions about you.
Working together on your defense
Tell Yvonne what happened in your own words, what worries you most, and what you hope to protect. Keep your court papers and any relevant messages or records; do not delete or alter potential evidence. Together, you can consider the strengths and weaknesses of the case and decide on a strategy, whether that means challenging evidence, pursuing an appropriate negotiated resolution, or preparing for trial. No attorney can guarantee an outcome.
Text us immediately · (845) 290-2492Common questions about your defense
Does entering without permission automatically establish third-degree burglary?
No: the prosecutor must also prove intent to commit a crime inside the building beyond a reasonable doubt. Evidence of permission, lack of knowledge that the presence was unlawful, or absence of the required criminal intent may challenge the charge. Because unlawful entry and unlawful remaining are alternatives, permission to enter does not by itself resolve whether a later remaining was unlawful.
Why is starting a defense early imperative?
An early defense is imperative to protect your rights and preserve evidence that may disappear. Keep court papers, messages, footage, and witness information without deleting or altering anything. Counsel can review court dates and applicable deadlines, request evidence, and begin preparing your defense immediately.
How does an experienced lawyer help build the best possible defense?
Your lawyer checks the exact subsection, compares its requirements with the evidence, and listens to your account. Depending on the charge, counsel may investigate identification, intent, witness reliability, and possible problems with searches, statements, or testing. Working together on an early strategy is imperative to pursue the best possible outcome in your circumstances; no outcome is guaranteed.
Does an arrest or police report prove the charge?
No. A police report is part of the case, not a finding of guilt. Your lawyer can compare its claims with video, records, and witnesses and assess whether admissible evidence meets each applicable requirement.
Can the charge be dismissed or reduced?
That depends on the evidence, the charged subsection, and procedural rules. Challenging evidence, filing motions, negotiating a legally available resolution, or preparing for trial may be appropriate. No lawyer can promise dismissal, reduction, or acquittal.
Every case turns on its own facts. The information on this page is general, not legal advice.