Burglary is a serious crime in Connecticut and can result in severe consequences for all parties involved. In the state of Connecticut, any degree of burglary is considered a felony and punishable by incarceration, fines, and more. There are three types of burglary considered by state courts, third-degree burglary, second-degree burglary, and first-degree burglary. If you are being charged with burglary and require representation, call a Hartford County larceny attorney to build and strengthen your case.
Is Robbery the Same as Burglary?
This is a big misconception, and the answer is no. Robbery and burglary are two distinct crimes with completely different qualities and punishments. Robbery is stealing someone’s property from them using force such as threats or bodily harm. Burglary is trespassing on private property with the intent to commit theft or any other felony. To simplify it, robbery requires a person to be present and burglary requires a building or structure to be involved.
What Are the Penalties for a Burglary Felony in Connecticut?
The type of burglary you commit will impact what your penalties are. The following are the three types of burglary and their consequences.
Third-degree burglary: Labeled as a class D felony, a person commits third-degree burglary by entering and remaining in a building or structure unlawfully with the intention of committing a crime. Penalties include:
- Fines up to $5,000
- 1 to 5 years of jail time
Second-degree burglary: Labeled as a class C felony, to commit this crime a person will enter or remain in a residential property at night time with the intent to commit a crime, or enter or remain in a residential property with the intent to commit a crime while someone uninvolved with the crime is in the dwelling. Penalties include:
- Fines up to $10,000
- 1 to 10 years of jail time
First-degree burglary: Labeled as a class B felony, a person commits first-degree burglary by entering or remaining in a building or structure unlawfully with the intent to commit a crime while armed with a deadly weapon or intentionally inflicting bodily harm on a person uninvolved with the crime. Penalties include:
- Fines up to $15,000
- 1 to 20 years of jail time
Other factors may impact the outcome of the consequences. The court may be affected by specific details of the individual case and choose to be more lenient or more stringent with the penalties depending on the situation. For example, if the burglar was armed with a firearm or other deadly weapon or if they caused bodily injury to anyone not part of the crime, the punishment will likely be more severe.
If second or third-degree burglaries were committed with the use of a firearm, there is an automatic mandatory minimum sentence of one year. If a first-degree burglary was committed with the use of a firearm, there will be a mandatory minimum sentence of five years.
