What is the Penalty for Burglary of a Home

[zachwashere3]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Maine

OK so me and my friends went into a abandoned party house, we were in there for about 20 min and then the cops showed up, since i am under 18 (I am 17) I didn't go to jail I just got picked up by my parents, I am being charged with burglary even though I didn't steal anything nor did I intend to steal anything, i was just there to hang out. I should also note that the house was completely destroyed from the various parties that happened their (none of which i attended). I have to go to a juvenile court now and Im just wondering what Im looking at, jail/fines/probation/punishment/etc.

[Mr. Knowitall]

You're charged in juvenile court, with no apparent intention to move the case to adult court? Although I can make no promises, odds are you're looking at probation and fines. Given your age, if a prosecutor really wanted to nail you to the wall I would expect him to be petitioning the court to remove your case to an adult court.

Juvenile courts have broad discretion to look at your school, home, community and prior police record to try to fashion a sentence that is going to keep you out of trouble. It's possible for juvenile courts to impose sentences of detention where an adult court might grant probation - or supervision where an adult court might be compelled to give a jail or prison term.

[zachwashere3]

Thanks for the reply, I guess my only other question would be that how can they even charge me with burglary in the first place? I mean yes I know what I was doing was indeed wrong, but when I looked up the definition of burglary "entry into a building illegally with intent to commit a crime" I did enter the building but I had no intent to commit a crime of any sorts wouldn't a charge of trespassing "enter the owner's land or property without permission" make more sense?

[Mr. Knowitall]

The prosecutor believes you intended to commit a crime when you entered the premises. You are free to take the case to trial if you don't believe that they can prove your intent based upon the available evidence and circumstances of your entry.