Fort Collins Property Crimes Lawyer

Defending Against Property Crime Charges in Colorado

Property crimes may include vandalism, burglary, theft, robbery, or more. If you're facing charges for any of these offenses, seek the counsel of an experienced Fort Collins property crimes lawyer at Rachel A. Michael, LLC. Our lead attorney has experience as both a defense attorney and a prosecutor, and we know the approach district attorneys often take to these types of cases. More importantly, we focus on the facts and use every mechanism at our disposal to argue your case and seek a positive outcome for you.

Have you been accused of a property crime? Call Rachel A. Michael, LLC today at (970) 616-6668 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our property crimes attorney in Fort Collins.

What is Considered a Property Crime?

A property crime is any intentional crime that leads to the theft or destruction of another person's property without that person's consent. In 2014, more than 135,000 property crimes took place in the state of Colorado alone.

Types of Property Crimes in Colorado

The term "property crime" may encompass many different offenses, including the following:

• Theft. Theft occurs when one person purposefully deprives another person of their property. This is a fairly broad category that includes crimes such as robbery and larceny.
• Burglary. Burglary is the unlawful entry into another person's home or other closed structure. The entry usually occurs with the use of force or coercion and with the intent of committing a crime inside.
• Robbery. Robbery occurs when force, or the threat of force, is used to take money or property from another person.
• Home invasion. Similar to burglary, home invasion is the unlawful entry of an occupied home. The crime is a home invasion (rather than a burglary) if the defendant is armed and another person is lawfully present in the home.

Colorado Trespassing Laws

Trespassing is entering another person's property without permission or without lawful authority. To be considered trespassing, it must be proven that some amount of damage was done, no matter how minor - any interference with the owner's use of the property is usually considered a sufficient demonstration of damage. 

Typically, the legal penalty for trespassing includes requiring the defendant to pay damages and issuing an injunction that prohibits the defendant from trespassing again.

Vandalism Laws in Colorado

Vandalism is the willful damage or defacing of private or public property. Examples include:

• Graffiti 
• Breaking windows
•  Cutting trees without permission 
• Tire slashing 
• Ransacking a property 

This crime is usually punished based on the amount of damage done, although the presence of prior vandalism convictions may lead to harsher penalties. Criminal charges can range from a Class 2 misdemeanor to a Class 1 felony, depending on the circumstances. Speak with an attorney to learn more.

Building a Strong Defense Strategy for Property Crime Charges

When facing property crime charges, it is crucial to have a strong defense strategy in place to protect your future. At Rachel A. Michael, LLC, our Fort Collins property crimes attorney can help you understand the consequences of these charges and build a comprehensive defense strategy tailored to your specific case. Our approach to defending against property crime charges includes:

• Evaluating the evidence against you to identify any weaknesses
• Working with investigators to gather additional evidence to support your case
• Providing aggressive representation in court to fight for your rights
• Negotiating with prosecutors to seek reduced charges or alternative sentencing

Contact Our Fort Collins Property Crimes Attorney Today

We provide free initial consultations so you can learn more about your rights and how we can help you.