Burglary / B&E in Roanoke County

Burglary cases in Roanoke County result in conviction more often than they are dismissed, reversing the statewide pattern. While Virginia overall dismisses 58.2% of burglary charges, Roanoke County dismisses only 44.6%—a 13.6 percentage point gap. This means defendants in Roanoke County face conviction in about half of all cases (51.8%), compared to the lower conviction rates seen across the state. Acquittals are rare, occurring in just 3.6% of cases, indicating that when charges proceed to trial, prosecutors typically prevail.

Most burglary defendants in Roanoke County resolve their cases through plea agreements rather than trial, with 48.2% pleading guilty. Charge reductions occur in fewer than 4% of cases, and when they happen, the charge usually drops to entering property to damage rather than a significantly lesser offense. Cases take roughly six months to resolve on average (189.5 days), though outcomes vary widely—a quarter finish within three months while another quarter extend beyond 14 months. When convicted, median sentences run about three years, with average sentences reaching 4.5 years.