What to do if you are charged with Burglary in Colorado

Have you been charged with burglary in Colorado?  If so, then you may be wondering if there is a specific tactic that will help minimize your sentence, or what you need to do to prepare for the hearing.  The first step you should take, if you haven’t done so already, is to contact a Colorado criminal defense lawyer.  An attorney who has experience dealing with burglary charges can help you understand the serious nature of this crime and begin the process of developing a defense strategy.

By definition, a burglary charge is a felony offense, and one in which the law imposes a minimum sentence of one year in prison.  However, the actual penalties for the specific crime you may have committed will depend on your intent.  In other words, if the court can prove that it was your intent to commit a felony, and the actual harm that resulted was significant enough, you could be sentenced to a longer amount of jail time, probation or parole, plus court costs and fines. 

In addition, you are likely to be ordered to make restitution for the value of the property that was stolen and the cost of any damage to the property.  If your victim was injured during the crime, you will be asked to cover the cost of medical care as well.  As you can see, the outcome of your criminal trial for burglary may be more serious than you bargained for, but a Colorado criminal defense attorney can help. 

If you have been charged with burglary in Colorado, an attorney can evaluate your circumstances and advise you on the consequences of a conviction.  Depending on your circumstances, a Colorado criminal defense lawyer may suggest arguing for probation instead of a prison sentence and request payment arrangements so you can make restitution for the crime. 

Your defense strategy may include a specific set of assertions made by your attorney.  These can include a lack of intent to commit a theft/felony, a mistake of fact, and mistakes made by police officers and prosecutors, among others.  Speak with one of the experienced criminal defense attorneys at Clawson & Clawson LLP, and find out more about your options when charged with burglary in Colorado.