Witness statements often play a big role in burglary cases, particularly when a jury decides whether to believe you meant to commit a crime or were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Burglary cases involve questions of intent and entry, so what a witness remembers can have a serious impact on the outcome. If you are being investigated or charged, our experienced Kane County, IL burglary defense lawyer can help. We will work to ensure false or mistaken statements do not decide your future.
What Counts as a Witness Statement in an Illinois Burglary Case?
Under 720 ILCS 5/19-1, burglary means entering a building, home, or vehicle without permission and intending to commit theft or another felony. Because intent is hard to prove directly, prosecutors often depend on what witnesses say they saw. A witness statement can be written down, recorded, or spoken in court. It can come from neighbors, store owners, police officers, or even bystanders. A witness might say they saw you near a building or describe what they think you were doing. Your lawyer will go through every statement carefully to see if the person could have made a mistake or misunderstood what happened.