Facing a Burglary Accusation in Weld County?
Man Faces Burglary Charges in Burned Down Houses

Charged with a Burglary accusation in Weld County? Contact the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009.

Are you facing a false Burglary accusation in Weld County? Burglary in Greeley, Erie, or Ault is when a person knowingly enters or remains on a property with the intent to commit another crime. The lawyers at the O’Malley Law office can help you with a false accusation of Burglary. We have many years of knowledge and experience aggressively fighting against Burglary charges. A man in Louisville, was recently charged with burglary and could use a top lawyer as he faces these charges. Apparently, the man was found in a burned down neighborhood with items from the houses in his truck after he was observed going in and out of the houses. When facing Burglary charges, it is important to understand the Colorado law. Below our lawyers will discuss Burglary charges. If you are facing an accusation of Burglary in Ft. Collins, you can get help here.

What is the Definition of 1st Degree, 2nd Degree, and 3rd Degree Burglary in Greeley, Colorado?

In Greeley, it is important to understand that Burglary is divided into 3 degrees of charges and the degree depends on the type of property that was entered and the level of danger to anyone inside. Here are the definitions for 1st Degree, 2nd Degree, and 3rd Degree Burglary.

1st Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-202 is defined as:

A person commits first degree burglary if the person knowingly enters unlawfully, or remains unlawfully after a lawful or unlawful entry, in a building or occupied structure with intent to commit therein a crime, other than trespass as defined in this article, against another person or property, and if in effecting entry or while in the building or occupied structure or in immediate flight therefrom, the person or another participant in the crime assaults or menaces any person, the person or another participant is armed with explosives, or the person or another participant uses a deadly weapon or possesses and threatens the use of a deadly weapon.

2nd Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-203 is defined as:

A person commits second degree burglary, if the person knowingly breaks an entrance into, enters unlawfully in, or remains unlawfully after a lawful or unlawful entry in a building or occupied structure with intent to commit therein a crime against another person or property.

3rd Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-204

A person commits third-degree burglary if with intent to commit a crime he enters or breaks into any vault, safe, cash register, coin vending machine, product dispenser, money depository, safety deposit box, coin telephone, coin box, or other apparatus or equipment whether or not coin-operated.

It is important to note that you cannot be charged with Burglary if you are on the property legally. For example: Bob is at a party he was invited to and while he is there, he sees a wallet and decides to take it. He did commit Theft, but he did not commit Burglary because he was invited onto the property.

Do You Have to Commit Theft to Be Also Charged with Burglary in Weld County?

It is a common misunderstanding that a theft must occur to also be charged with Burglary. That is not the case in Weld County. As in the story above, the man was not supposed to be in the burned down neighborhood or its houses, and if it is proven he also took things, then he can be charged with Burglary and Theft. However, it needs to be proven that the intent to commit the theft happened before he entered one of the homes in the neighborhood. Some other common Burglary examples that do not involve Theft are:

  • Going into a school after hours to vandalize it.
  • Breaking into a house with the intent to kidnap a person.
  • Remaining in a building to break open a vending machine.

Simply put, the two things required to convict a person of Burglary are that a person is  unlawfully on a premise or remained there after a legal entry, and they had the intent to commit any crime other than Trespass. If you are facing Theft or Trespass charges, you can find more information here.

What are the Sentences and Punishment for a Burglary Charge in Erie, Colorado?

In Erie or other Weld County, Colorado towns, the sentence and punishment for Burglary can be a felony or a misdemeanor depending on the circumstances.

Degree of Burglary Sentence Punishments
1st Degree Burglary Class 3 Felony ·         4-12 years in Colorado State Prison

·         fine of $3,000-$750,000

·         5 years mandatory parole

2nd Degree Burglary Effective March 1, 2022. (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b) or (2)(c) of this section

2nd degree Burglary is a class 4 felony.

(b) Second degree burglary is a class 3 felony if:

(I) It is a burglary of a dwelling;

(II) The objective of the burglary is the theft of a controlled substance

(III) The objective of the burglary is the theft of one or more firearms or ammunition.

Class 3 Felony Penalties:

  • 4-12 years in Colorado State Prison
  • fine of $3,000-$750,000
  • 5 years mandatory parole

Class 4 Felony Penalties:

·         2-6 years in prison

·         fine of $2,000-$500,000

·         3 years mandatory parole

3rd Degree Burglary Effective March 1, 2022.

3rd Degree Burglary is a class 2 misdemeanor, but it is a class 1 misdemeanor if it is a burglary, the objective of which is the theft of a controlled substance, lawfully kept in or upon the property burglarized.

Class 1 Misdemeanor:

·         364 days in jail

·         fine of up to $1,000

 

Class 2 Misdemeanor:

·         up to 120 days in the Weld County Jail

·         fine of up to $750.

 

Why Hire an Experienced Burglary Lawyer When You are Facing Burglary Accusations in Weld County?

The experienced Weld County Burglary lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office are here to help you. We understand that Burglary accusations can be confusing and are also complicated by the other criminal charges that you face. Our skilled lawyers will help you navigate the Weld County Courts system and have many years of experience fighting for our clients’ rights. Burglary law changes, so you need to leave your future and case in the best hands possible.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a Burglary accusation in Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Greeley criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009.  Together, we can protect your future.

Photo by Evan Velez Saxer