Property Crimes Attorney in Denver, Colorado

Have you been accused of stealing, damaging, or destroying something that belongs to another person? You may be facing what is known as a “property crime” charge. It’s an umbrella term that covers a wide range of activities that involve taking or causing damage to someone else's property, including arson, burglary, theft, trespassing, criminal mischief, and others.  

Facing charges for a property crime can be a life-changing event—something you wish had never happened to you. However, you cannot just pretend everything is normal when the threat of a jail or prison sentence looms large. No matter what the allegations against you are, you might want to discuss the defense options that may be available to you with Attorney Chris Cessna. The property crimes attorney in Denver, Colorado, helps those accused of criminal offenses involving another's property seek a dismissal or minimize the impact a charge can have on their life.  

Property Crimes in Colorado 

The term “property crime” is a broad term that covers several different types of illegal activities that involve taking, damaging, or destroying tangible or intangible property of another person or entity. Some of the most common types of property crimes in the state of Colorado include: 

• Arson: deliberately setting fire to a building, home, or any other piece of property.  

• Burglary: illegally entering residential or commercial property without permission with the intent to commit a crime.  

• Theft: intentionally taking or depriving another person of their property without their consent.  

• Robbery: taking someone else’s property directly from their person with the use of force or threat to use force.  

• Trespassing: unlawfully entering or staying on someone else’s property without their permission.  

• Vandalism: willfully or maliciously defacing, damaging, or destroying private or public property.  

• Criminal mischief: knowingly damaging or breaking someone else’s real or personal property.  

• Tampering: meddling with someone’s property with the intent to interrupt or impair services or utilities, such as electricity, water, gas, or sewer.  

In Colorado, property crimes range from low-level misdemeanors to felonies. The severity of the charges depends on several factors, including the value of the property involved, the extent of harm inflicted upon the victim (if any), the circumstances of the offense, and others.

Consequences of Property Crimes 

As mentioned earlier, the severity of property crimes charges varies depending on the circumstances of the offense. But you could be looking at fines and even jail or prison time, not to mention the collateral consequences of a criminal record, including:  

• Difficulty finding and maintaining meaningful work 

• Limited housing opportunities 

• Loss of professional licenses 

• Strained personal and professional relationships 

• Stigmatization from neighbors 

• Negative impact on immigration status 

With so much at stake, you might want to consider reaching out to a Denver property crimes attorney to discuss the best course to take in fighting back. In fact, a consultation with Attorney Chris Cessna will cost you nothing, as his law firm—The Law Office of Christopher H. Cessna—offers free initial consultation. So, at a time when you have so much to lose, a chance to speak with an attorney for free can be empowering.  

Possible Defenses in Property Crime Cases 

Instead of just waiting to see if the District Attorney’s Office is going to file criminal charges or, even worse, waiting for your arraignment or trial date, you should start working on your defense. And the sooner, the better. In all property crime cases, the prosecution must prove the defendant’s intent. If it can’t, the entire case can fall apart. With over 10 years in law enforcement, Attorney Chris Cessna knows how prosecutors operate and what arguments actually work on them and which don't. 

But the lack of intent isn’t the only possible defense strategy in a case involving property-related charges. Other defenses include: 

• Mistaken identity 

• Alibi 

• Necessity 

• Content by the property owner 

• Duress or coercion 

• Entrapment 

Property Crimes Attorney in Denver, Colorado 

Attorney Chris Cessna from The Law Office of Christopher H. Cessna vigorously defends people accused of arson, burglary, theft, trespassing, vandalism, and other property crimes. With 20+ years of experience, the Denver property crimes lawyer is committed to making the law work for you, not against you. This means exploring all avenues available to secure the best possible outcome for your case.  

From his office in Arvada, Attorney Chris Cessna provides services to clients in Denver, Lakewood, Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Berkley, Aurora, Sherrelwood, and surrounding areas. No matter how hopeless your situation might seem, now is not the time to give up—not when you have a trusted ally like Attorney Chris Cessna in your corner. Schedule your free consultation now to discuss your unique case. The success of any of the aforementioned (or other) defenses depends on the facts of your case. Attorney Chris Cessna has dedicated his entire career to defending the rights of people accused of crimes. When working on your defense, the Colorado property crimes attorney will do his best to get the best possible results for you, whether it means proving your innocence or minimizing the potential penalties you could face.