Posts Tagged ‘Burglary’

Juveniles Admit Committing Arson in Utah

May
16
Simms, on the topic of  Utah Law
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Three kids have admitted to committing arson in Utah at a Magna LDS church by setting hymnbooks on fire.

Photo: Samuel M. Livingston

The fire was first noticed by a passerby Monday morning. When fire officials arrived, the building was filled with smoke. It’s believed that the kids entered the church house through a door that was either broken or forced opened. Damages appear to be at least $500,000.

In addition to being charged with arson in Utah, the kids may be charged with additional crimes—including burglary.

Definition of Burglary

Burglary in Utah is defined as:

• Entering or remaining unlawfully in a building with the intent to commit a felony, theft, assault, lewdness, sexual battery, lewdness involving a child or voyeurism.

Burglary is a third degree felony unless committed in a residence, in which case it’s a second degree felony.

What is Arson?

Arson in Utah can be charged if a person uses fire or explosives to intentionally damage any property for the purposes of committing insurance fraud or any property belonging to someone else. If you commit arson and cause damages of $5000 or more, you will be charged with a second degree felony.

There are several other lesser charges for arson; most depend on the cost of damages and whether or not someone is injured. Aggravated arson in Utah occurs when someone sets fire to a residence or a car or structure when someone not involved in the arson is inside.

Most kids are charged with offenses in Utah juvenile court; under some circumstances they may have their case moved to adult court and suffer penalties usually reserved for those over 18.

Because you don’t know what will happen with your child’s case, it’s important to have a Utah juvenile defense attorney represent your son or daughter from the beginning. Kids deserve to have qualified legal representation, too, and need it as much as an adult. Talk to an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney today.

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Utah Juvenile Arrested for Park City Arson

Mar
14
Simms, on the topic of  Utah Law
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A pair of suspected arsonists, one a Utah juvenile, has been arrested following a busy crime spree in Park City.

Photo: viZZZual.com

They’re Not Batman and Robin

The dynamic duo is believed to be responsible for starting a fire at the Park City Marriott hotel, followed by a burglarizing trip to the local high school and a condo in the city.

Investigators don’t know why the pair set the fire in an area of the hotel’s parking garage, but security video from the hotel helped identify one of the alleged criminals. The two people are being held while they’re investigated for arson, burglary and causing a catastrophe.

What Constitutes Burglary?

Burglary is normally a third degree felony unless it’s committed in a dwelling, in which case it’s a second degree felony. Additionally, a burglary is usually charged when a person enters or remains illegally in a building with the intent to commit some type of felony, a theft, assault, etc.

Causing a catastrophe can mean doing anything from using a weapon of mass destruction to being responsible for a fire, flood, avalanche or collapsing building. Since this situation probably doesn’t fit the weapon of mass destruction clause, the people responsible may be charged with a second degree felony or a class A misdemeanor.

Kids Often Deserve a Second Chance

We’ve previously mentioned on this blog that Utah law is designed to help rehabilitate juveniles if possible. In fact, a Utah juvenile is normally charged with an offense as opposed to a crime. Kids (and adults) sometimes do dumb things that require punishment but not confinement. That’s where an attorney comes in.

A Utah juvenile needs an attorney as much as a grown-up. If your child is in trouble with the law, talk to a Utah juvenile defense attorney today and get your kid’s case on the right track.

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Be on the Lookout for Kid Burglar in Utah

Feb
07
Simms, on the topic of  Juvenile Defense Misc
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Police are on the lookout for a couple of people: one reportedly a kid burglar who allegedly accompanied another person to steal from a Utah home back in December.

Photo: elhombredenegro

Kid Burglar Strikes–But Not Alone

A homeowner contacted police after she arrived home in mid December to find two people in her house. The alleged burglars, one of whom is believed to be a juvenile between 8 and 12, fled the premises with an expensive camera and thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. They are still at large, and the homeowner is offering a reward in conjunction with the capture and conviction of the thieves.

It’s not too often that we see evidence of a kid burglar in Utah, but if he is caught he will likely be charged with committing serious juvenile offenses, including burglary and theft. As we’ve previously noted, juveniles who are accused of offenses are normally handled in juvenile court. Juvenile courts in Utah handle kids’ cases much differently than adults are treated in district courts.

Have an Attorney Represent Your Child

Authorities hope that kids will be more likely to not reoffend if given proper attention and appropriate consequences in relation to their offenses. Even though we hope that juveniles will be treated fairly, it is in a child’s best interest to be represented by a Utah juvenile defense attorney who will fight for the child’s rights.

If you have a child, whether he’s accused of being a kid burglar or another offense, contact an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney right away. Don’t leave your child’s future to chance. Hire an attorney who will see that your child’s rights are protected, regardless of the charges he’s facing.

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Troubled Teen Steals Car—Utah Woman Killed

May
24
Simms, on the topic of  Violent Acts
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A troubled teen recently escaped from a Utah youth facility and eventually ended up causing a car crash that ended with a Utah woman’s death.

Photo: Andy Rusch

The 17-year-old somehow was able to walk away from the Provo Canyon School, a facility for troubled teens. He allegedly spent part of the next few hours breaking into someone’s house and stealing a car.

Breaking and Entering

When a Provo man returned to his home, he stated that he knew something was wrong. Things were out place, and then he heard a noise coming from upstairs. When he went up to his bedroom, he found the teen. After some calm discussion, the teen left the home and the homeowner called police.

Before law enforcement could arrive, the young man took off. At some point, he found an unlocked SUV with the keys in it. Police had been alerted to the theft, and when the car was spotted officers attempted to pull it over.

The teen kept driving and tried to evade police, eventually reaching a speed of 100 mph, police believe. The young man ran into the back of another car, with the impact killing the passenger and sending the driver to the hospital.

Investigation

The troubled teen was booked into a local detention center while he’s being investigated for manslaughter, vehicle theft and burglary.

Since the young man is still a juvenile, his name has not been released. Except under specific circumstances, cases involving minors are normally first filed in juvenile court. Even though this case involved a death, it will not necessarily go to adult district court.

Contacting a Utah Juvenile Defense Attorney

Regardless of the charges a troubled teen is facing, he should always be represented by an experienced Utah juvenile defense attorney. Let a top attorney handle your child’s legal difficulties while you help take care of his other needs. Make that important call today.

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BURGLARY

Aug
19
Angela, on the topic of  Juvenile Court
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Burglary includes both burglary of a dwelling and a business. If the burglary is of a business, then the offense is most likely a third degree felony. If the burglary is of a home, then the offense is most likely a second degree felony. It should be noted that a defendant may be charged with burglary of a dwelling if he enters not into the home itself, but merely into an attached garage. Another type of burglary is that of a vehicle. Burglary of a vehicle is committed when a person unlawfully enters a vehicle with the intention of committing a felony or a theft.

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