Burglary Attorney in Franklin, TN

Criminal Defense in Williamson County Since 1988

A burglary charge in Tennessee is a felony at every level. The consequences reach well beyond a potential prison sentence, touching employment, housing, and civil rights in ways that can follow you for decades. If you’ve been arrested for burglary in Franklin or anywhere in Williamson County, how you respond in the earliest hours and days matters. I’ve been defending clients in this area since 1988, and I’m available around the clock to help you understand your position and start building a criminal defense.

I offer virtual consultations, so there’s no delay in getting legal guidance after an arrest. Reach me directly at (615) 239-1374 any time, day or night.

Don’t wait to speak with a burglary lawyer. Call (615) 239-1374 now to reach Julia E. Stovall Attorney At Law and discuss your case before you say anything further to law enforcement.

What Tennessee Law Means by “Burglary”

Most people picture burglary as a break-in with a crowbar. Tennessee law is significantly broader than that. Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-13-1002, burglary requires two elements: entering or remaining in a structure without the owner’s effective consent and the intent to commit a felony, theft, or assault inside. No crime inside the building has to be completed. Intent at the time of entry is enough for a charge.

Entry is defined broadly under the statute. Any intrusion of part of the body qualifies, and so does inserting an object. Force isn’t required. Walking through an unlocked door can meet the definition. Burglary is also legally distinct from robbery, which requires taking property from a person by force or threat of force, and from criminal trespass, which doesn’t require criminal intent. Tennessee also rewrote and renumbered its burglary statutes effective July 1, 2021, so older legal references may no longer be accurate.

Tennessee’s Three Tiers of Burglary

The severity of a burglary charge depends on where the alleged entry occurred and what happened as a result. Tennessee structures these offenses into three tiers, each with its own felony classification and sentencing range.

The three charge levels are:

• Standard burglary (Class D felony): Entering a non-residential building without consent and with criminal intent. Carries 2 to 12 years in prison and a fine up to $5,000.
• Aggravated burglary (Class C felony): Burglary of a habitation, meaning any structure designed or adapted for overnight accommodation, including houses, apartments, and mobile homes. Carries 3 to 15 years and a fine up to $10,000. Prosecutors don’t need to show that anyone was home or harmed.
• Especially aggravated burglary (Class B felony): A burglary that results in serious bodily injury to any person lawfully on the premises. Carries 8 to 30 years and a fine up to $25,000. This offense is classified as violent under Tennessee law, which triggers harsher consequences for any future conviction.

Burglary of a vehicle, including cars, trucks, boats, trailers, and aircraft, is a Class E felony carrying 1 to 6 years and a fine up to $3,000. Tennessee’s structured sentencing system also accounts for prior convictions, meaning two people charged with the same offense can face dramatically different prison terms based on their criminal history.

Defense Strategies in Franklin Burglary Cases

The prosecution must prove both unlawful entry and criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt. Weakening either element can support an acquittal or a reduction to a lesser charge like criminal trespass. I review every aspect of how evidence was gathered, including whether the arrest involved a valid warrant or proper probable cause, and I file motions to suppress evidence obtained in violation of my client’s constitutional rights when the facts support it.

Common defense avenues I examine include:

• Challenging proof of intent
• Disputing the legal classification of the structure entered
• Asserting mistaken identity
• Arguing that consent to entry existed
• Raising duress or coercion where the facts support it
• Pre-trial motions to challenge defects in the indictment or seek dismissal before trial

Preliminary hearings in Williamson County General Sessions Court are one of the earliest opportunities to challenge probable cause and potentially stop a case before it proceeds further. Where a plea negotiation serves my client’s interests, my certification as a Rule 31 Mediator supports my approach to pursuing charge reductions through negotiation.

Why Franklin Clients Work with Julia E. Stovall Attorney At Law

I’ve practiced criminal defense in Franklin and throughout Williamson County since 1988. When you work with my firm, you work directly with me at every stage of your case. There’s no rotating staff and no hand-off to a junior associate. I know the Williamson County Judicial Center and how cases move through the local court system.

24/7 Availability
I’m available around the clock, so you can reach me after an arrest, before a court date, or when an urgent question can’t wait until morning.

Virtual Consultations
Virtual consultations are available for clients who can’t come in person, making it straightforward to begin your defense right away.

Recognized Professional Standing
My recognition as a “Family Law 10 Best Female Attorney” in Tennessee reflects a consistent commitment to quality representation and client outcomes across my practice.

Start Your Defense Today

If you’re facing a burglary charge in Franklin or elsewhere in Williamson County, the time to act is now. Statements made before you consult an attorney can be used against you, and the earliest stages of the court process can present important strategic opportunities for your defense.

Contact Julia E. Stovall Attorney At Law at (615) 239-1374 to speak with a burglary attorney in Franklin today. I offer consultations, including virtual options, and I’m available around the clock to take your call.