Burglary and Home Invasion Crimes in Connecticut

 Posted on April 13, 2015 in Criminal Defense

Burglary and home invasion crimes are reported with seemingly increasing frequency. These are serious crimes, and someone who is charged with burglary may also be charged with the related crimes of robbery and larceny. If the person charged with burglary is a juvenile, it could signal the beginning of more serious criminal involvement.

Home invasion is the most serious of the burglary-type offenses, and is a Class A felony. It occurs when a person enters an occupied dwelling with the intent to commit a crime and either:

• He or another person commits a felony against the occupant; or
• He is armed with explosives or a deadly weapon or dangerous item.

Burglaries are divided into three types based on the circumstances of the crime. The crime of third degree burglary occurs when a person breaks into a building and enters it with the intent to commit a crime. It is second degree burglary if the building is a dwelling, and the occupant is present in the dwelling at the time. For first degree burglary, a person enters a building with the intent to commit a crime and:

• Is armed with explosives, a deadly weapon, or dangerous item;
• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to someone; or
• The entry is done at night.

All three degrees of burglary are felonies.

A skilled defense attorney can attempt to cast doubt on whether the defendant intended to commit a crime. The prosecutor must be able to prove the intent beyond a reasonable doubt, and often must do so using circumstantial evidence. Another defense might be the defendant's belief that he had permission to enter the premises. As home invasion and burglary are prosecutable as felonies, it is critical to have the representation of an qualified criminal defense lawyer who can explain all of the defendant’s options.

If you or a loved one has been charged with burglary or any other type of property crime, an experienced Connecticut criminal defense attorney is your best option to obtain a favorable outcome. Contact the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner for a consultation today.