Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

I was arrested a month ago in connection with a break and entering and stealing of stolen goods and intent to sell such goods. I am innocent. I lived with two guys who apparently were notorious thieves and drug dealers. The youngest guy was an informant. Held me at knife point and forced me to enter house with him in which he stole items from. He told cops I broke in with him and stole stuff and intended on selling it. Nothing was found in my possession. I am being charged with breaking and entering in the night, intent to steal and possession of stolen goods. Is there anything I can do? I have no previous criminal record. (I have an attorney, but he says I am not in jeopardy. Cops want me to flip on my ex room mates to cut me a deal but my attorney says don't).


Asked on 6/15/11, 9:00 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Unfortunately, your story doesn't seem to ring entirely true, i.e., why

would your burglarious cohort be holding you at knife point to force you to

accompany him into the target residence which hardly seems the most

expeditious manner to accomplish his criminal mission? In fact, it

seems an open invitation for all kinds of things to go way wrong (which

apparently may in fact have happened).

Normally, my advice to a person charged with a crime is to listen to

the attorney representing him or her, however, in this case I would have reservations regarding your counsel's observation that you are "not in jeopardy".

On these facts (in my opinion), you might very well be in jeopardy

of being convicted of some serious crime connected with this burglary

(and/or, perhaps, even other ones which have yet to be charged).

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Answered on 6/15/11, 9:30 am


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