Burglary Criminal Defense Lawyer in Greeley, Colorado
Burglary Charges at the Weld County Court
If you’ve been charged with Burglary in Greeley, Colorado, you will need the best criminal defense lawyer to advocate for you at the Weld County Court. Burglary is normally charged when a person forces entry into a building or secured object with the intent of committing another crime, such as Theft or Assault. Depending on the circumstances, the sentence for a Burglary charge can range anywhere between a class 2 misdemeanor and a class 2 felony – meaning that the consequences for this crime can be severe and costly. Your potential sentence can increase exponentially if other charges are added to your original Burglary charge. It’s never worth it to take on a Burglary charge alone at the Weld County Court – it is always best to hire a fiercely competitive criminal defense lawyer to represent you.
Weld County Burglary Offenses and Related Subtopics
Below is further information on Burglary and other related subtopics, like:
- Terms and Definitions
- Possession of Burglary Tools, C.R.S. 18-4-205
- Third Degree Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-204
- Second Degree Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-203
- First Degree Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-202
Charges similar to Burglary but distinct, include Robbery and Criminal Trespass.
How Does the Weld County Court Define Burglary?
The Weld County Court defines Burglary in C.R.S. 18-4-202 through 18-4-205. Essentially, Burglary is the act of unlawfully entering a secured object – such as a safe or cash register – or remaining in or entering without permission a building / home to commit another crime once inside. Often, the intent is to steal an item of value, such as money, weapons, or controlled substances. However, Burglary can also be charged when a person intends to commit a different crime against a person or property while inside a home or building.
Burglary is divided into three different degrees, with each degree primarily depending on where the person forced entry or remained unlawfully. Breaking into a secured object will result in less severe 3rd Degree Burglary charges, whereas 1st and 2nd Degree Burglary are charged when a person unlawfully enters or remains in a building or occupied structure like a home or apartment.
The Three Degrees of Burglary
Weld County Second Degree Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-203 | Greeley, Colorado 2nd Degree Burglary
Second Degree Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-203, is charged in Greeley and Weld County when a person breaks into or unlawfully remains in a building or occupied structure with the intent of committing a crime therein. Second Degree Burglary can be a class 2 misdemeanor if the defendant disregarded a court order or written notice prohibiting him from visiting a retail store during business hours. In most cases, however, 2nd Degree Burglary is often filed as a class 4 felony, but goes up to a class 3 felony if the person broke into someone’s house or apartment, or if the objective was to obtain a firearm, ammunition, or a controlled substance.
Possession of Burglary Tools, C.R.S. 18-4-205 in Weld County
Possession of Burglary Tools, C.R.S. 18-4-205, can be charged alone or in addition to any degree of Burglary in Weld County. Possession of Burglary Tools is charged when a person is found to have tools that can be used for a burglary and intended to use them for that purpose. Such tools can include explosives, crowbars, lockpicks, or any other instrument for the purpose of forcing entry. Possession of Burglary Tools is a class 2 misdemeanor, but can instead be charged as a class 5 felony if the Greeley Police can prove the person who possessed the tools intended to break into someone else’s house or apartment.
Why Hire a Top Greeley Burglary Lawyer?
If you have been charged with Burglary, the importance of hiring a top Greeley criminal defense lawyer cannot be overstated. If you are convicted, you could face penalties such as:
- Months or years in the Weld County Jail or in a Colorado prison
- Up to $1,000,000 in fines, depending on the degree of Burglary charged
- Restitution payments for damages or financial losses to a victim
- Requirement to relinquish firearms and ammunition
- Up to 5 years of mandatory parole after serving in a Colorado prison
- Personal consequences, including loss of employment and a lifetime loss of reputation
It is essential to seek an experienced lawyer to defend you at the Weld County Court so that your future is not wrecked by your Burglary charges. Time is of the essence – don’t wait to call a criminal defense lawyer who will work tirelessly to protect your future.