Burglary is often charged in cases with complex facts involving complicated relationships between the defendant and the alleged victim(s). We have all probably heard of the phrase “breaking and entering” before, and, if you are like most people, then the you would connect that phrase with an act of burglary. Unfortunately, this is an example where general public knowledge and the actual requirements of the law diverge. Many individuals have committed burglary without even realizing it.
Burglary is committed when you enter property of another, either lawfully or unlawfully, and remain unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime while inside the property. Pursuant to C.R.S. 18-4-202 and 18-4-203, First and Second Degree Burglaries are felony offenses that can lead to 12 years in the Department of Corrections (Colorado’s state prison system).
Consider this scenario as an illustration of the Burglary statutes. You have a boyfriend who you believe has begun cheating on you. You also have a spare set of keys for when he invites you to stay at his place, so you can let yourself in. You decide that you are going to go over unannounced with the sole goal of catching your man in the act of cheating, with the intent to confront him, which involves a well aimed smack to the face or kick to the groin. If you do enter unannounced and follow through with your plans, then the satisfaction of having your cathartic moment and standing up for yourself can easily result in an arrest for a class 3 felony crime, and the possibility you will spend time in prison.
If you have made the mistake of committing the act of Burglary, or you have been falsely accused of Burglary, then contact Sean P. Harrell, the experienced attorney with success in defending against Burglary allegations in Loveland, Fort Collins, Longmont, Berthoud, Estes Park and Greeley.