Burglary charges can stem from many different situations, from professional thieves who break into homes to steal valuables, to a person who has had too much to drink stumbling into the wrong home. Whatever the situation, if you have been charged with Burglary in Denver, Arapahoe, or Douglas County, it is important for your future to work with an experienced Burglary attorney.
The “intent to commit a crime” element must be present in order to be charged with Burglary.
Burglary Lawyer in Jefferson County, Colorado: What is Burglary?
It is important to understand the elements of a Burglary offense in Denver, Jefferson County, or anywhere else in Colorado. In order for a person to be convicted of this crime, the District Attorney must prove that you:
- entered a home or building,
- with the intent to commit a crime
Simply entering is not enough. You must have had a purpose for unlawfully entering the home or building. There are four main types of Burglary charges. These are:
Arapahoe County First Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-202
1st Degree Burglary is the most serious form of burglary, and is charged whenever a person enters (or remains unlawfully in) a building, apartment, house, motel room, or garage with a weapon, with the intent to commit a crime other than trespassing. This offense is also charged when the occupants of the home or building are assaulted or menaced. The government takes great care for the safety of its citizens – First Degree Burglary is a very serious offense and is prosecuted accordingly.
Second Degree Burglary in Douglas County – C.R.S. 18-4-203
2nd Degree Burglary is charged whenever a person enters a building, house, apartment, motel room, garage, or business with the intent to commit a crime other than trespass. This degree of burglary is less serious because no weapon or explosion was used, and no one was assaulted or menaced. It is regarded solely as a property crime.
Third Degree Burglary in Adams County – C.R.S. 18-4-204
3rd Degree Burglary is charged whenever a person tries to break into a vending machine, product dispenser, cash register, vault, or safe with the intent to steal the contents. This offense can be charged when a teen tries to break into a vending machine in order to get free snacks.
Possession of Burglary Tools in Denver County– C.R.S. 18-4-205
Possession of Burglary Tools is charged whenever shoplifting tools such as pliers, magnets, or screwdrivers are used to take apart or defeat anti-theft systems in stores. It can also be charged when professionals are caught outside a home or business in possession of lock-picking tools.
Denver Burglary Lawyer: Why You Need the Best Burglary Attorney in Denver
A burglary conviction can result in years in prison and a criminal offense on your record. Evidence is lost the more time passes in criminal cases, so it is vital that you contact an experienced criminal lawyer immediately. We advise our clients to not speak with the police, because everything they say will be used against them. Remain silent, and contact one of the criminal attorneys at our office to fight on your behalf in court.