Beware of unintentional burglary charges

Schedule a Free Consultation

 Posted on September 02, 2024 in Uncategorized

# Beware of unintentional burglary charges | The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart

![Image 1: The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/)

Does Your Situation Call For A Hero?

Call Us Today: [253-948-3586](tel:+1-253-948-3586)

Text Us Today:[253-442-7544](sms:+12534427544)

![Image 2: The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/)

You Need A Hero

[CALL](tel:+1-253-948-3586)

[Text](sms:+12534427544)

Your Freedom, Your Reputation, Our Mission

  1. Home
  2. »
  3. Criminal Defense
  4. »
  5. Beware of unintentional burglary charges

# Beware of unintentional burglary charges

On Behalf of The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/ "Posts On Behalf of The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart") | Sep 2, 2024 | [Criminal Defense

In Washington State, you can face burglary charges even when you think you’re not breaking any laws. Situations can be confusing and lead to misunderstandings and unintended consequences.

Understanding burglary laws

Burglary isn’t just about breaking and entering. It involves entering or remaining in a building unlawfully with the intent to commit any crime. This means you don’t have to be trying to steal something for the court to charge you.

Simply being in a place without permission can lead to legal trouble. Many people are surprised to learn that they can get charged with burglary without causing any damage or intending to commit theft. Entering a building where a person who has a restraining order against you may be enough.

How misunderstandings happen

It’s easy to find yourself in a situation where you might accidentally break the law. For example, if you’ve lived with someone and moved out, you might think it’s okay to return to get your things. However, if there’s a legal order like a protection order or restraining order against you, entering that property, even to collect your belongings, could result in a burglary charge.

Even if you don’t intend to commit a crime, violating these orders can have serious consequences. You might believe you’re simply retrieving your property, but if you don’t have explicit permission, you could face serious legal ramifications.

Navigating personal property issues

If you need to collect personal items from a place you can’t legally enter, consider alternative options. Unless there is a no contact order prohibiting third party contact, contact the property owner or someone you trust to help retrieve your belongings. You may also consider contacting the police from a non-emergency line and arrange for a supervised belonging exchange or pickup. Of course, you can always seek the assistance of a trusted attorney.

Staying informed and cautious

Being aware of your legal rights and restrictions can prevent unintended legal issues. Knowing how these situations arise can help you make informed decisions and avoid actions that could lead to charges.

Search for:

Search for:

Recent Posts

Archives

Categories

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

Get Your Life Back On Track With Our Help

Loading Form...

Contact Us

![Image 3: The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/)

Address:

1105 Tacoma Ave South

Suite A

Tacoma, WA 98402

Tacoma Office

Call Us Today:

[253-948-3586](tel:+1-253-948-3586)

Text Us Today:

[253-442-7544](sms:+12534427544)

Review Us

![Image 4](https://www.michaelaustinstewart.com/tacoma-criminal-defense-law-office/)

You need a respected and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. We will fight to protect your future.

© 2026 The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer| Site Map| Privacy Policy |Business Development Solutions by FindLaw

!Image 5: fb

╳

!Image 6

How can I help you?

!Image 7!Image 8

How can I help you?

How can I help you?

Welcome to The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart. What kind of matter can we assist you with?

How can I help you?

!Image 9: Intaker widget Avatar

Felony

Misdemeanor

Sex Crimes

Theft

Drug Charges

DUI Defense

Other Criminal Cases

Scroll

Powered byIntaker

Share this post:
As Seen On
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge
  • badge

The first few hours after an arrest can be incredibly stressful, but they may also be incredibly important for your case. Anything you say during questioning could be used against you in court, even if police appear sympathetic to your circumstances. During this time, protecting your rights is absolutely critical. If you have been accused of a crime, do not hesitate to get in contact with a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can advise you on how to respond.

Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has decades of experience representing clients throughout Pierce County and the South Puget Sound in serious felony cases. When you work with our firm, your case will receive close attention from a seasoned trial attorney who will explore all of your options to fight the charges in court.

Proven experience representing clients in high-stakes criminal matters

When your freedom, reputation, or career is at risk, you need a respected and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart's successful case results speak to his diligence and willingness to fully investigate a charge. Across his 30-year career, he has obtained favorable outcomes for many clients, routinely securing sentencing terms well below the government's request as well as dismissals and not guilty verdicts.

Past case results are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Instead, they show the lengths we are willing to go to protect our clients. You only get one chance to protect your freedom and your name in a criminal case, so you should not settle for anything less than the best when looking for the right attorney.

scales

Case Results

Our firm has a demonstrated history of successes in criminal defense cases, frequently securing ideal outcomes through our fierce advocacy.

Felony DUI Dismissed

Achieved after court found no probable cause for the traffic stop

Felony Domestic Charges Dismissed

Secured after further investigation revealed death threats were falsified

Firearm Charge Dismissed

Achieved after it was revealed that the officer conducted a warrantless search without reasonable suspicion

Not Guilty Verdict in Rape Case

Defendant was completely exonerated after extensive cross-examination and arguments from defense

More Case Results

Reputable criminal defense trusted by local communities

Attorney Michael Austin Stewart has a reputation for being extremely tough in the courtroom while being approachable and personable with his clients. His main goal is to set you at ease while providing aggressive representation in court, taking a stand to protect your rights. We are available 24/7, as we remain in close communication with our clients in every case.

Our firm has also been recognized with many awards for our excellent client service and strong representation. Some of these accolades include placement in the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, recognition as a Super Lawyer, and a 10.0 Avvo rating. We have also earned many 5-star reviews from clients we have personally helped through difficult situations, highlighting the trust we have built up across Tacoma and the wider community.

Strong counsel when you need it most

You can trust our firm to handle your case with the tact and care that it deserves. We know how to manage the media in cases that garner public attention—having taken on cases featured in CBS, The Washington Times, The Seattle Times, and other outlets—working to protect our clients' privacy as we build a careful defense. We also know how to navigate communication with police and prosecutors to minimize any possible risks.

arrowExplore more services
The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart Criminal Defense Lawyer

Focused on
the Best Case
Outcome

Whether you are facing property crime charges, allegations of violent crime, or sex crime accusations, our firm will seek the best possible outcome to your case. To accomplish this, we carry out in-depth investigations to uncover all of the relevant facts, allowing us to build a nuanced argument to present to the court. Attorney Michael Austin Stewart is a trial-tested criminal defense lawyer with the skills and legal knowledge to present a strong case on your behalf.

If you have any questions about how we can help with your situation, do not hesitate to reach out. Seeking early legal counsel is critical for making sure that you are fairly represented during the criminal proceedings.

arrSchedule a Free Consultation
scales

Verdict Spotlight

Felony DUI Dismissed

Achieved after court found no probable cause for the traffic stop

Felony Domestic Charges Dismissed

Secured after further investigation revealed death threats were falsified

Firearm Charge Dismissed

Achieved after it was revealed that the officer conducted a warrantless search without reasonable suspicion

Not Guilty Verdict in Rape Case

Defendant was completely exonerated after extensive cross-examination and arguments from defense

See More Verdicts

Award-Winning

Our firm has been honored with many awards for our exceptional criminal defense.

30+ Years of Experience

Attorney Michal Austin Stewart has decades of courtroom experience defending clients accused of felony crimes.

Free Consultations

We offer free consultations to any prospective clients with questions about a pending criminal case or investigation.