In Greeley, and across Colorado, police are seeing an uptick in juveniles participating in ‘Smash and Grabs.’ A Smash and Grab is when a person or group of people break into a store and steal anything they can take quickly. Because many involved are juveniles, police report that they are released back into the public and have been re-offending. Let’s look at the different crimes associated with a smash and grab
Weld County Smash and Grab: Juvenile Property Crimes Involved
There are multiple property related crimes that can potentially be charged stemming from a Smash and Grab incident. These crimes include:
Burglary Charges in a Johnstown or Erie Smash and Grab
For a Smash and Grab situation, Second Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-203 – would be the applicable charge. 2nd Degree Burglary is defined as:
Under this subsection, Second Degree Burglary is a class 4 felony if the burglary is of an occupied structure or of a building being used for the operation of a commercial business.
Trespassing Defense Lawyer in Greeley
Trespassing is charged for unlawfully entering or remaining somewhere you are not permitted to be. Unlawfully entering a business after hours would be charged as Second Degree Criminal Trespass – C.R.S. 18-4-503. This crime is charged as a petty offense.
Milliken Criminal Mischief Defense: Property Damage in Smash and Grab
The Weld County, Colorado law definition of Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is:
Likely, the property damage would be the result of the ‘smash.’ Businesses reported broken windows and glass doors. Not to mention any of the damage caused inside the business while the grabbing was occurring.
How Juvenile Cases Are Treated Differently in Greeley and Weld County
Fortunately, cases where a juvenile is charged with a crime in Greeley and Weld County are treated differently than those of adults. The courts and Das recognize that juveniles are not fully developed and still have learning to do, therefore, they do not always make the best decisions. This leads to a more rehabilitation focus instead of a punishment mindset. Of course, there are exceptions and sometimes Das need to be reminded that your child is just that, a child.
If your child has been charged with a crime in Weld County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your child’s future.
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