Trespassing and Burglary are both charged in Fort Collins, CO and throughout Larimer County for unlawfully entering or remaining on another’s property. The difference is whether the person who committed the act then intended to commit a crime once inside the property. If you’ve been charged with either offense, don’t wait to act to protect your future. Call the top Fort Collins criminal defense lawyers today to discuss your case and get the representation you need at the Larimer County Courts.
How is Criminal Trespassing, C.R.S. 18-4-502+, Charged in Fort Collins?
Criminal Trespass, C.R.S. 18-4-502+, is charged in Fort Collins whenever one person unlawfully goes onto or stays on another person’s property. Trespassing is divided into 3 different degrees in Colorado, depending on where the person trespassed. Trespassing in public spaces generally results in Third Degree Criminal Trespass / 3rd Degree Trespassing charges, whereas trespassing in another person’s home is instead charged as First Degree Criminal Trespass / 1st Degree Trespassing Generally, Criminal Trespass does not involve intent to commit a crime, with some exceptions.
Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-202+ at the Larimer County Courts
Burglary, C.R.S. 18-4-202+, is charged at the Larimer County Courts for unlawfully entering or remaining on another person’s property with the intent of committing a crime. Like Criminal Trespass, Burglary is split into 3 different degrees. The degrees of Burglary are based on:
- Where the person entered or remained,
- Why they committed the Burglary, and
- Whether they used a deadly weapon, threatened serious bodily injury against another person, or possessed and threatened to use a deadly weapon.
What’s the Difference Between Trespassing and Burglary in Loveland?
There’s a fine line between Trespassing and Burglary in Loveland. The difference is that Burglary is charged because a person entered with the intent to commit another crime. Usually, this entails committing an act of Theft, but this isn’t always the case.
Unfortunately, Burglary in particular can often be overcharged. We’ve seen many people charged with this crime when they had no intent of committing another crime. The good news is that a top Fort Collins criminal defense lawyer can represent you at the Larimer County Courts and ensure that you’re not convicted of a crime you never actually committed. You may have just trespassed on another person’s property, but you were accused of trying to take something from inside the premises. Whatever your circumstances, don’t wait – call our top Fort Collins criminal defense lawyers today to discuss your case and protect your future.