Burglary in Kent County, Maryland, is prosecuted under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article, carrying penalties ranging from misdemeanor to felony with up to 25 years incarceration. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders — brings extensive criminal defense experience to clients facing burglary charges at District Court of MD for Kent County and Kent County Circuit Court.
Burglary Defense Lawyer in Kent County, Maryland
Burglary in Maryland is defined under the Md. Code, Criminal Law Article. The statute covers unlawful entry into a dwelling or structure with intent to commit a crime. In Kent County, burglary charges are classified by degree: first-degree burglary involves a dwelling with a dangerous weapon or assault, carrying up to 25 years in prison; second-degree burglary involves a dwelling without aggravating factors, carrying up to 15 years; third-degree burglary involves a store or other structure, carrying up to 10 years; and fourth-degree burglary is a misdemeanor for breaking and entering with intent to commit theft, carrying up to 3 years. A Burglary Defense Lawyer Kent County can evaluate the specific facts of your case under these statutes.
Last verified: May 2026 | District Court of MD for Kent County | Maryland General Assembly — official site
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience.
For the full text of Maryland’s burglary statutes, see Md. Code, Criminal Law Article § 6-201 et seq. (Maryland General Assembly — official site). For court procedures in Kent County, visit District Court of MD for Kent County (courts.state.md.us — official site).
In District Court of MD for Kent County, prosecutors routinely seek Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for first-time burglary defendants, which avoids a formal conviction. We have observed that the State’s Attorney for Kent County often considers the value of stolen property and whether a weapon was involved when determining charges.
- Remain silent and request an attorney immediately upon arrest.
- Attend all court hearings at District Court of MD for Kent County, 103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620.
- Preserve evidence, including surveillance footage, receipts, or witness contact information.
- Discuss with your attorney whether PBJ, Nolle Prosequi, or Stet is a viable option.
- File for expungement after the case concludes, if eligible under the Justice Reinvestment Act.
In Kent County, Maryland, burglary charges carry penalties ranging from a misdemeanor with up to 3 years in jail to a felony with up to 25 years in prison, depending on the degree.
| Offense | Classification | Incarceration | Fine | License Impact | Additional Consequences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Degree Burglary | Felony | Up to 25 years | Up to $25,000 | None | Permanent criminal record; loss of gun rights |
| Second-Degree Burglary | Felony | Up to 15 years | Up to $15,000 | None | Permanent criminal record; loss of gun rights |
| Third-Degree Burglary | Felony | Up to 10 years | Up to $10,000 | None | Permanent criminal record |
| Fourth-Degree Burglary | Misdemeanor | Up to 3 years | Up to $2,500 | None | Permanent criminal record |
Results may vary.
Founded in 1997 by Mr. Sris, former prosecutor — Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. brings 120+ years combined legal experience, 4,739+ documented firm-wide results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ, and a favorable-outcome rate above 93%. Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Advocacy Without Borders — has handled extensive criminal defense experience in Kent County, providing clients with dedicated representation at District Court of MD for Kent County and Kent County Circuit Court.
Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. has extensive criminal defense experience in Kent County and across Maryland. Firm-wide, SRIS has handled 4,739+ documented case results across VA, MD, DC, NY and NJ with over 93% favorable outcomes. Results may vary.
Our location in Rockville, MD is approximately 70 miles from District Court of MD for Kent County, with access via Route 301 and Route 213. If you need a burglary defense lawyer near Kent County, we are available to assist. Serving the communities of Chestertown, Rock Hall, Galena, Millington, and Betterton. 24/7 phone consultations — (888) 437-7747 — meetings by appointment only.
Our Location: Law Offices Of SRIS, P.C. — Maryland, 199 E. Montgomery Avenue, Suite 100, Room 211, Rockville, MD 20850 | (888) 437-7747. By appointment only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Burglary Defense in Kent County
What is Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) in Kent County, Maryland?
Yes. PBJ is a Maryland disposition where the judge places you on probation instead of entering a guilty verdict. PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available for most misdemeanors and many felonies at District Court of MD for Kent County (103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620). After probation, PBJ cases can be expunged (3-year waiting period) under Md. Code, Criminal Procedure Art. § 6-220.
PBJ avoids a formal conviction on your record and is available at District Court of MD for Kent County.
Can I get my criminal record expunged in Kent County, Maryland?
Yes. Maryland allows expungement for acquittals, dismissals, Nolle Prosequi, Stet, PBJ (after 3 years), and many non-violent convictions under the Justice Reinvestment Act. Cases in Kent County are expunged through the court where the case was heard (District Court of MD for Kent County) under Md. Code, Criminal Procedure Art. § 6-220.
Expungement is available for many dispositions at District Court of MD for Kent County.
What happens after a criminal arrest in Kent County, Maryland?
After arrest in Kent County: (1) initial appearance before a District Court commissioner who sets bail, (2) bail review hearing within 24 hours if detained, (3) arraignment, (4) trial. Misdemeanors are tried at District Court of MD for Kent County (103 N. Cross Street, Chestertown, MD 21620). Felonies go to Kent County Circuit Court. Bail set by District Court commissioner at initial appearance; Maryland permits pretrial release on personal recognizance, bail, or conditions of release; bail review hearing in District Court within 24 hours if detained; public defender eligibility based on income; court costs: approximately $22.50-$55.
After arrest, you will have an initial appearance and bail review within 24 hours at District Court of MD for Kent County.
Do I need a lawyer for a misdemeanor in Kent County, Maryland?
Yes. Many Maryland misdemeanors carry significant penalties — second-degree assault: up to 10 years; theft $100-$1,500: up to 6 months. An attorney at District Court of MD for Kent County can negotiate PBJ (no conviction on record) or dismissal. Contact SRIS at (888) 437-7747.
Yes, a lawyer can help negotiate PBJ or dismissal at District Court of MD for Kent County.
How does a Maryland lawyer defend against burglary charges?
Defense strategies for burglary in Maryland may include challenging evidence, examining procedural compliance, negotiating with prosecutors, and presenting mitigating factors. An experienced attorney evaluates the specific facts under Md. Code, Criminal Law Article to build the strongest possible defense. A breaking and entering defense lawyer Kent County can assess whether the entry was lawful or if intent can be disproven.
A burglary charge defense lawyer Kent County can challenge evidence and negotiate for reduced charges.
For more information about criminal defense in Maryland, visit our Criminal Defense Lawyer Maryland hub page. You may also find our pages for Criminal Defense Lawyer Howard County and Criminal Defense Lawyer Montgomery County useful. For related practice areas, see Conspiracy to Commit an Offense lawyer Kent County and Aiding and Abetting lawyer Kent County.
Last verified: May 2026. This page was generated on 2026-05-01.