Castle Rock Burglary Lawyer

Burglary Attorney in Castle Rock, CO

Being accused of burglary is enough to have you worried about your future, reputation, and your freedom. If you are looking for a Castle Rock burglary lawyer, it helps to first understand what burglary is under Colorado law. Burglary charges are more complicated than you may think. The prosecution needs to prove certain elements to secure a conviction. Whether you have been accused of burglarizing a residence, business, vehicle, or another structure, you have rights.

Fuller & Ahern, P.C., Attorneys Have a Combined 75 Years of Experience

At Fuller & Ahern, P.C., our attorney, Susan Fuller, founded the firm in 1997. We assist people and families throughout the Denver metro area and all of Colorado. Our attorneys have been practicing law for a combined 75 years.

Susan Fuller has been practicing law since 1990. She built her firm on the foundation of compassion, honesty, and preparation. The attorneys at Fuller & Ahern, P.C., take the time to learn about your circumstances. They explain your legal issues and provide realistic expectations.

Burglary Charges in Colorado

Some people believe that burglary is defined as stealing items from a building. While this may be true in some cases, burglary is defined somewhat differently by Colorado law. According to Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-4-202, burglary is defined as entering or remaining inside an occupied structure or other building unlawfully and intending to commit a crime while inside.

Keep in mind that the prosecution does not need to prove that you stole anything. You can be charged with burglary if you allegedly intended to commit another offense in the building or structure. Because of this, burglary charges can stem from accusations of theft, assault, vandalism, or other alleged crimes.

Castle Rock burglary charges can carry different degrees. This typically depends on the type of property entered and whether or not you allegedly committed another crime while there. The penalties may also increase if the building was occupied at the time or if you allegedly had a weapon.

In Castle Rock, the burglary rate was 0.62 per 1,000 population. In a given year, 52 burglaries were reported. This rate was significantly lower than the national average of 2.29.

Degrees of Burglary in Colorado

In Colorado, burglary offenses can be divided into degrees. A Castle Rock burglary attorney can help explain how Colorado divides burglary charges. Penalties may change based on the degree of burglary you are charged with.

First-degree burglary usually requires that the individual unlawfully entered or remained in a building or occupied structure and committed another crime while there. Additionally, the person must either be armed with a deadly weapon, use force, or threaten the people inside.

Second-degree burglary generally means that you unlawfully entered or remained inside a building or structure with the intent to commit a crime. Third-degree burglary usually refers to unlawfully entering or breaking into safes, vaults, cash registers, vending machines, and other boxes or containers with the intent to commit a crime.

Evidence Used in Burglary Cases

Investigators may use many sources of evidence when working on a burglary case. Police often spend weeks investigating a burglary before filing charges. Types of evidence that may be used against you include:

• Video surveillance
• Witness testimony
• Evidence collected from the scene
• Cell phone location information
• Fingerprints
• Social media
• Recovery of stolen property

Just because the prosecution has evidence against you does not mean that they can have an easy time at trial. What may seem like concrete evidence to you could cause reasonable doubt for a jury.

Most Castle Rock burglary charges are brought in Douglas County. These charges are typically filed in either municipal court or the Douglas County District Court located at 4000 Justice Way, Castle Rock, CO 80109.

Hire a Burglary Lawyer

A burglary charge can require you to navigate the court system, understand deadlines, and learn criminal statutes. Some people hire a burglary lawyer to help them understand their charging document, evidence, and what to expect in court.

Burglary charges can include many different issues. Your case may involve violations of your constitutional rights, disagreements on evidence, intent to commit a crime, or witness credibility. An attorney can help you understand these issues and how they relate to burglary laws.

FAQs

How Much Is a Lawyer for Burglary?

Attorney’s fees vary based on the complexity of the allegations, the seriousness of the charges, and whether the matter is resolved through negotiation or goes to trial. Many attorneys charge flat fees, and others charge by the hour. An attorney should be able to explain what his or her fees are during a consultation once he or she knows the facts of the case.

Can You Get a Burglary Charge Dropped?

In certain cases, depending on the circumstances, we may be able to get the burglary charge reduced or dismissed. This could happen if there are significant problems with the prosecution’s evidence or witnesses, or if there were legal problems with how the police conducted the investigation. Each case is unique, though, and there are never any guarantees. It all depends on the specific facts of your case, the evidence that is available, and the law that applies.

Do You Go Straight to Jail if You Get a Felony?

If someone is charged with or even convicted of a felony offense, that does not always mean that they go straight to jail. Courts look at many factors, including the seriousness of the offense, criminal history, and many other factors. Cases can often involve bond, probation, and community supervision, amongst other things, in addition to jail time.

How Long Do Most Burglaries Take?

Burglaries can happen fast if people who commit them want to avoid being seen. However, there isn’t a universal timeline. The timeframe can be influenced by the burglary’s location, occupancy status of the property, the suspected motive, and other factors. Every situation is different. That’s why burglary cases hinge more on the evidence gathered rather than the length of time.

Contact Fuller & Ahern, P.C.

Burglary charges are serious accusations. At Fuller & Ahern, P.C., we understand how much these charges can change your life. Contact us today for the legal assistance you need.