Illegally entering into someone’s house with the intention of committing another crime, like Criminal Mischief or Assault, is charged as Burglary in Castle Rock and Douglas County. Former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin called the police on her son because he entered her house without permission, damaged property, and assaulted her husband. According to the report, the son got angry when his father wouldn’t let him take the truck because he had been drinking, so he entered the house, broke a window and hit his father. If this had occurred in Colorado, the son would be facing charges of Second Degree Burglary, Third Degree Assault and Criminal Mischief.

Douglas County Second Degree Burglary Definition

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Second Degree Burglary – C.R.S. 18-4-203 – is:

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A person commits second degree burglary, if the person knowingly breaks an entrance into, enters unlawfully in, or remains unlawfully after a lawful or unlawful entry in a building or occupied structure with intent to commit therein a crime against another person or property.”

2^nd Degree Burglary is charged as a class 4 felony, unless it is a burglary of a dwelling, like in the story above. Then it is a class 3 felony.

Third Degree Assault Definition in Parker and Highlands Ranch

The Colorado law definition of Assault in the Third Degree – C.R.S. 18-3-204 – is:

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A person commits the crime of assault in the third degree if:

(a) The person knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person or with criminal negligence the person causes bodily injury to another person by means of a deadly weapon”

Because the son injured his father, but not to the degree of serious bodily injury, like a bone break or burn would have, then he is charged with this class 1 misdemeanor extraordinary risk crime.

Castle Rock Criminal Mischief Definition

Criminal Mischief – C.R.S. 18-4-501 – is defined as:

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A person commits criminal mischief when he or she knowingly damages the real or personal property of one or more other persons.”

The broken window likely costs between $300-$750, which would mean a class 2 misdemeanor charge of Criminal Mischief.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Criminal Mischief, Third Degree Assault, or Second Degree Burglary in Douglas County, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Castle Rock criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950 to schedule a free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.

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