Burglary in Virginia: What the Court Data Shows

According to 5,728 public court records from 2023–2024, Burglary / B&E cases across 49 Virginia jurisdictions have an average dismissal rate of 60.2% and an average conviction rate of 38.4%.

Disclaimer: This page provides statistics from public court records for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws and penalties change — consult a licensed Virginia attorney and the Code of Virginia for current legal information. Past court outcomes do not predict future results.

Burglary involves unlawful entry into a building with criminal intent and can involve residential or commercial property. This page examines what public court records reveal about how burglary and breaking & entering cases are resolved across Virginia.

What Our Data Shows About Burglary Outcomes

Our analysis of 5,728 burglary and breaking & entering cases across 49 Virginia jurisdictions (2023-2024) reveals:

58.2% average dismissal rate
40.6% average conviction rate
138 days average median case duration
Dismissal rates range from 21.3% (Lynchburg) to 97.0% (Fairfax County)

View burglary statistics across all Virginia jurisdictions for detailed data on each court.

Variation Across Virginia

Burglary outcomes differ substantially depending on which court hears the case:

Highest dismissal rates: Fairfax County (97.0%), Alexandria (91.2%), Arlington County (88.5%)
Lowest dismissal rates: Lynchburg (21.3%), Smyth County (27.0%), Virginia Beach (28.0%)

Northern Virginia jurisdictions consistently show the highest dismissal rates for burglary, while Hampton Roads and Southwest Virginia courts show significantly lower rates.

Understanding Burglary Statistics

When reviewing our data, keep in mind:

Virginia law distinguishes between different types of unlawful entry based on the type of structure and the time of the offense
Dismissal includes judicial dismissals and nolle prosequi
Some burglary charges may be reduced through plea negotiations
These are aggregate statistics — individual outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case

Next Steps

For information about Virginia burglary and breaking & entering laws, consult a licensed Virginia attorney or visit the Virginia Legislative Information System.

To explore how burglary cases are resolved in your specific court, view our burglary data by jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Based on 5,728 burglary and B&E cases from 2023-2024, the average dismissal rate is 58.2% across 49 jurisdictions and the average conviction rate is 40.6%. Dismissal rates range from 21.3% in Lynchburg to 97.0% in Fairfax County.

The average median case duration for burglary across Virginia is 138 days — reflecting felony-level processing. Timelines vary by jurisdiction and case complexity.

Virginia burglary and breaking & entering laws are codified in the Code of Virginia. For current information, consult the Virginia Legislative Information System (law.lis.virginia.gov) or speak with a licensed Virginia attorney.

What's Next

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