In Greeley and Weld County, Trespass is charged when a person is unlawfully somewhere they are not authorized to be. A recent sweep of a vacant apartment resulted in seven arrests, and lots of tickets for Trespassing. According to the report, a call was made to report an active Burglary. When police arrived, it was discovered that the apartment was vacant and 18 people were inside. 17 of the 18 were cited for Trespassing. Seven of the people had active warrants and were taken in. Only one person had a valid excuse as to why he was at the apartment, which is why he didn’t end up charged.
Greeley First Degree Criminal Trespass Attorney: How is Trespassing Charged in Colorado?
The Greeley, Colorado law definition of First Degree Criminal Trespass – C.R.S. 18-4-502 – is:
(a) Knowingly and unlawfully enters or remains in a dwelling of another; or
(b) Enters any motor vehicle with intent to commit a crime therein.
An apartment is considered a dwelling, even if its vacant. I’m actually surprised with all the squatter laws and issues that law enforcement were able to charge them with Trespassing and remove them from the property.
Sentence for First Degree Trespassing in Erie and Evans
First Degree Criminal Trespassing is a class 1 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable by up to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail, along with fees and fines.