Types of Burglary Charges - Mastro Barnes and Stazzone

Burglary charges are types of property crimes. These charges involve illegal entry into a building, or any locked area or item, with the intent to commit another crime such as theft. If you’ve been charged with burglary, trespass, robbery, or any other criminal offense, it’s crucial to protect your legal rights by contacting a criminal lawyer near Denver. Your attorney will review your case, analyze the evidence, and develop strategies for your defense. Your DUI lawyer can also help you understand the nature of the specific charges pending against you.

Third-Degree Burglary
As your defense attorney can explain to you, you could be charged with third-degree burglary if you’re suspected of breaking into any locked container with the intent to execute another crime. This charge applies to illegal entry into a locked vault, safe, or locker. Typically, people charged with this crime are also accused of theft. Third-degree burglary is classified as a class five felony. If you’re convicted of this crime, you could be sentenced to one to three years behind bars. However, you may be given a longer prison sentence if you’re convicted of trying to steal a controlled substance. In this case, the charge is upgraded to a class four felony.

Second-Degree Burglary
Like third-degree burglary, second-degree burglary is a charge in which the defendant is accused of illegal entry with the intent to commit another crime. However, this charge applies to illegal entry into a building. Your defense lawyer may also defend you from this charge if you’ve been accused of entering into a building lawfully, but then remaining there illegally. The underlying crime involved in second-degree burglary may be theft or any other crime. A second-degree burglary charge is a class four felony if the building is a commercial property. It’s a class three felony if the building is a residential property or if the underlying crime was intent to steal a controlled substance.

First-Degree Burglary
First-degree burglary involves illegal entry into a building while assaulting or menacing a person. It is typically a class three felony, which means it may carry a prison sentence of four to 12 years. Under certain circumstances, such as if the act violated a restraining order, this charge may be upgraded to a class two felony.