Brockton, MA Home Invasion Defense Attorneys
Is Home Invasion a Felony in Massachusetts? Yes, it is, and if you are facing charges of home invasion you need an experienced and aggressive criminal defense attorney to prepare a strong defense.
Although it’s often associated with charges of burglary or armed robbery, home invasion is a specific crime under Massachusetts law. The charge of home invasion is more severe than breaking and entering and burglary charges because the accused knowingly invades a home that is occupied and either uses or threatens to use of force with a dangerous weapon against the occupants. A “dangerous” weapon is not limited to a gun or knife, but may also include baseball bats, tire irons, stun guns, or any other objected that is used to threaten or inflict bodily harm.
In order for a person to be charged with home invasion, the district attorney has to establish four separate things:
- That the suspect knowingly entered another person’s home;
- That the suspect either knew someone was already inside the house, or didn’t immediately leave when he realized someone was home;
- That the suspect was armed with a dangerous weapon; and
- That suspect threatened the use of force, used force, or intentionally caused injury to another person residing in the home.
The Penalties For Being Convicted Of Charges Of Home Invasion Are Stiff
As you can gauge from the increasing severity of those four requirements, home invasion is not a charge that judges or juries dismiss lightly: convictions for this crime carry a minimum term of 20 years in prison, and can even result in a life sentence. [Mass. General Law: Criminal Penalties for Home Invasion]
If you or a loved one has been accused of home invasion, our criminal defense attorneys will work with the district attorney to secure the best possible outcome—and, of course, will do their best to bring any extenuating evidence to light.
For a free legal consultation to discuss your case, email our Brockton, MA criminal defense law offices today.
Our knowledgeable and experienced Brockton defense attorneys at The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan at 508-588-0422 are available to assist clients throughout all of Southeast Massachusetts, including but not limited to Plymouth County including Brockton, Abington, Bridgewater, Whitman, Hanson, Hingham, Wareham, Halifax, Middleborough, Rockland, Lakeville, Holbrook, Avon, Kingston, Pembroke, Plympton, Pembroke, Hanover, Carver, Duxbury, Marshfield, Norwell, Hanover, Scituate, East/West Bridgewater, Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Avon, Holbrook, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Wrentham, Foxborough, Franklin, Walpole; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Norton; Cape Cod, Falmouth, Barnstable.
