Utah Burglary & Criminal Defense Attorney Basics
If you have been charged with burglary in Utah, the consequences can be serious and lasting. The most important step you can take to protect your future is to speak with an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can advise you of your rights and guide you through the legal process. The penalties for burglary in Utah are almost always less severe if you have a burglary criminal defense lawyer working on your behalf. The burglary lawyers at Intermountain Legal know Utah burglary law in detail and have years of experience resolving burglary cases. Because of their background in prosecution, they have relationships with Utah judges and prosecutors that put them in an exceptional position to help you get the best possible outcome in your case.
Utah Burglary Laws
Many people in Utah have the mistaken belief that burglary is the same as theft. However, under Utah law, you do not have to steal anything to be charged with burglary. A person is guilty of burglary if they go inside a building or remain in the building with the intent of committing a crime. Utah law lists the crimes a person can intent to commit while in the building as follows: any felony, theft, assault, lewdness, sexual battery, lewdness involving a child, or voyeurism. It is the intention of committing one of
these crimes that matters for the sake of a burglary conviction, not the actual commission of the crime. This means that a person can be charged with burglary in addition to being charged with one of the other listed crimes.
Utah Aggravated Burglary Laws
A person can be charged with aggravated burglary in Utah if there are additional circumstances involved in committing a burglary, attempting to commit burglary, or fleeing from a burglary. Burglary changes to aggravated burglary if the burglar causes bodily injury to a victim who is not participating in the crime; has, uses, or threatens to use a dangerous weapon; or possesses an explosive.
Utah Burglary and Aggravated Burglary Penalties
Burglary is a third degree felony in Utah. A third degree felony can be punished with up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. However, if the burglary is committed in a private home, it is a second degree felony. A second degree felony can be punished with one to fifteen years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Aggravated Burglary is a first degree felony on Utah. The punishments for first degree felony are five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. In addition, a felony conviction on your record can have lifelong consequences, such as making it extremely difficult to get a job. An experienced Utah burglary criminal defense attorney can help you minimize these consequences.
Contact a Utah Burglary Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have been charged with burglary, contact the criminal defense lawyers at Intermountain Legal for a free consultation. They will help you understand your options so that you can make informed decisions about your case. The criminal defense attorneys at Intermountain Legal have the experience to help you minimize the consequences of a burglary charge so that you can move on with your life.
