The crime of home invasion is defined in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265 Section 18C. There are four elements that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt before a defendant can be convicted of this offense.

Firstly, the prosecutor must prove that the defendant entered another’s dwelling place unlawfully. In this context, “entering” means entering without consent.  The defendant is considered to have entered, even if he only places his hand or foot into the dwelling place unlawfully. A “dwelling place” is a place in which people live or reside. Places such as hotels, hospitals, dormitories and even barns are considered “dwelling places.” Generally, any place where persons sleep is considered a “dwelling place.” A defendant enters “unlawfully” if he has no right to enter.

Secondly, the prosecutor is required to prove that the defendant either knew or had a reason to know that someone was inside of the building. Alternatively, this element can be satisfied if it is proven that the defendant stayed inside of the building after he found out that someone was home. If the defendant entered the building for any innocent reason (i.e. by accident), this element is not satisfied.   The defendant’s knowledge may be proven by his actions or words and the inferences drawn from them.

Thirdly, the prosecutor has to prove that the defendant was armed with a dangerous weapon when he entered the building. Common dangerous weapons are guns, knives, and brass knuckles. Additionally, many seemingly harmless items can become dangerous weapons when they are used in dangerous manners. Even pencils, lighted cigarettes and shoes can be considered dangerous weapons when they are used in ways that could inflict serious bodily injury or cause death.

Lastly, the prosecutor has the burden of proving that the defendant used or threatened force against a person in the building. If you are convicted of home invasion, you will be punished by at least 20 years in prison. You may even be sentenced to life imprisonment. If you are faced with this charge, you will need a defense lawyer who is not only skillful and practiced, but also tough. Kathleen M. McCarthy has more than 20 years experience aggressively fighting for her clients. Her track record of success speaks for itself. Call the Law Offices of Kathleen M. McCarthy at (978)-975-8060 or contact her online today. She will respond quickly and immediately begin building the strong defense that you need.