Facing a burglary charge in San Antonio means your job, your home, and your freedom are all on the line. Texas law doesn’t leave much room for error, and prosecutors move fast. The right defense starts with a clear understanding of what you’re up against and a team that knows how to push back—hard and early. Our experience with San Antonio cases gives us insight into how local courts handle these charges.

How We Break Down Texas Burglary Laws

Every burglary case in Texas comes down to a few key points, and we don’t let the prosecution gloss over any of them. The law covers more than just breaking a window or forcing a lock. Even walking walking through an unlocked door can land you in court if the owner didn’t give you the green light. What matters most is what you intended to do once inside. Whether it’s theft, assault, or another felony. The law applies to homes, businesses, vehicles, and just about any structure you can think of.

• Unlawful Entry: Entering a building or structure without consent of the owner. That includes unlocked doors and open garages.
• Criminal Intent: Planning to commit theft, assault, or another felony once inside. Intent is often the hardest thing for prosecutors to prove.
• Force Not Required: No need for broken glass or busted locks. Just being somewhere you shouldn’t be is enough.
• Property Types: Homes, businesses, vehicles, and storage units all count under Texas law.

We dig into every detail—security footage footage, witness statements, and police reports—looking for gaps or mistakes that can turn the case in your favor.

What We See Most in San Antonio Burglary Cases

Patterns emerge quickly when you’ve handled as many burglary cases as we have. Some charges show up more than others, and each one brings its own set of challenges. Our experience in San Antonio’s courts means we know how to spot the angles others miss.

• Residential Burglary: Entering someone’s home without permission. These cases carry the toughest penalties and the most scrutiny from judges and juries.
• Commercial Burglary: Breaking into businesses, offices, or retail spaces. Security cameras and alarm systems often play a big role here.
• Vehicle Burglary: Getting into cars, trucks, or other vehicles to steal or commit another crime. Quick action and eyewitnesses can complicate these cases.
• Building Burglary: Targeting storage units, sheds, or other outbuildings. These cases often hinge on who had access and when.

We know the local system inside and out, which lets us anticipate how prosecutors will build their case and where they’re likely to slip up. San Antonio’s unique mix of neighborhoods and business districts often shapes how these cases unfold.

Penalties We Help Clients Avoid

When a burglary charge sticks, the fallout is immediate and severe. Sentences in Texas don’t leave much room for second chances, especially if violence or weapons are involved. Prior convictions can make things even tougher. We focus on finding every possible way to reduce the impact. Whether that means fighting for a lesser charge or pushing for alternatives to prison.

• State Jail Felony: Up to 2 years in state jail and $10,000 in fines. Even first-time offenders face real time behind bars.
• Second Degree Felony: 2-20 years in prison, plus heavy fines. These cases often involve homes or occupied buildings.
• First Degree Felony: 5-99 years if weapons or violence come into play. The stakes don’t get much higher.
• Enhanced Charges: Prior convictions can push minimum sentences sentences higher and limit your options for parole or probation.

We look for every opening. Weak evidence, procedural errors, or negotiation points—to keep your record as clean as possible. Our team has helped many San Antonio residents avoid the harshest penalties through aggressive defense tactics.

Defense Strategies That Work in San Antonio Courts

When the facts are stacked against you, the right defense can make all the difference. We don’t rely on cookie-cutterutter arguments. Instead, we adjust every strategy to the specifics of your case, using what we know about local judges, prosecutors, and police practices.

• Consent Defense: Showing you had permission to be on the property. Sometimes, misunderstandings or prior relationships come into play.
• Mistaken Identity: Challenging the accuracy of witness statements or surveillance footage. People make mistakes, and technology isn’t perfect.
• Lack of Intent: Demonstrating there was no plan to commit a crime. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time doesn’t always add up to burglary.
• Search Issues: Spotting illegal searches or evidence collection. If police cut corners, we make sure it counts in your favor.

Our approach is thorough and relentless. We review every piece of evidence, question every assumption, and push for the best possible outcome at every stage. Familiarity with San Antonio court procedures gives us an edge in building your defense.

Let’s Start Building Your Defense

Call us at 210-545-3850 or schedule a consultation to discuss your burglary defense options. The sooner we start building your defense strategy, the better positioned you'll be to fight these serious charges.