Karma in the Form of a Brick | Attempted Trespass in Fort Collins

A man tries using a brick to break into a car. Read more in our blog.

Sometimes, people feel the law takes the place of karma to give people ‘what they deserve’ after committing a crime. In this case, a brick wasn’t even enough karma for one man. Caught on video, this man was seen attempting to throw a brick through the window of a car. Unfortunately for him, the brick bounced off the window and hit the man in the head knocking him out. If that isn’t enough of a sign from God, I don’t know what is, but the story doesn’t end there. When the car owner came out and saw the man, he tried to help him. The brick thrower demanded money for a taxi. He threatened the car owner and ran to a gas station to call the police, claiming he was attacked. When the car owner was questioned, he showed the police the surveillance video from the parking lot. Needless to say, everyone except the brick thrower had a good laugh.

A man tries using a brick to break into a car. Read more in our blog.
Image Credit: Pixabay – OpenClipart-Vectors

The Bouncing Brick: Criminal Attempt in Fort Collins

C.R.S 18-2-101 – Criminal Attempt – is defined by Colorado law as:

(1) A person commits criminal attempt if, acting with the kind of culpability otherwise required for commission of an offense, he engages in conduct constituting a substantial step toward the commission of the offense. A substantial step is any conduct, whether act, omission, or possession, which is strongly corroborative of the firmness of the actor’s purpose to complete the commission of the offense. Factual or legal impossibility of committing the offense is not a defense if the offense could have been committed had the attendant circumstances been as the actor believed them to be, nor is it a defense that the crime attempted was actually perpetrated by the accused.

(2) A person who engages in conduct intending to aid another to commit an offense commits criminal attempt if the conduct would establish his complicity under section 18-1-603 were the offense committed by the other person, even if the other is not guilty of committing or attempting the offense.

Basically, taking a significant step toward committing a crime in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park will get a person charged with Criminal Attempt. The Attempt designator is added to any underlying crime. In this case, the brick thrower would be charged with Attempted Trespassing.

Trespass in Larimer County

Colorado law defines C.R.S 18-4-502 – First Degree Criminal Trespass – as:

A person commits the crime of first degree criminal trespass if such person knowingly and unlawfully enters or remains in a dwelling of another or if such person enters any motor vehicle with intent to commit a crime therein. First degree criminal trespass is a class 5 felony.

While it is not clear what the man’s intentions were after breaking into the car, it can be assumed he wasn’t just breaking the window for fun. Whether he was going to steal the car, or just take something out of it, 1st Degree Trespass / Trespassing would be the charge. Because he did not actually complete the deed, seeing as he was incapacitated after the brick bounced off the window, he would be charged with Attempted First Degree Trespassing. Because 1st Degree Trespassing is a class 5 felony, Attempted Trespass would be charged as a class 6 felony.

If you or someone you love has been charged with Trespassing or Criminal Attempt of any crime in Larimer, Boulder, or Grand County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the experienced criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at (970) 658-0007 immediately. We can even set-up a Larimer County Jail attorney visit. Together, we can protect your future.