Can You Answer These 4 Questions About Vehicle Burglary in Utah

It may seem simple enough to open a car door that someone forgot to lock and grab the AirPods sitting in the cup holder. However, the consequences for vehicle burglary in Utah can be serious. In fact, as you’ll learn below, a judge could sentence someone to almost a year of jail time for a vehicle burglary charge.

Whether you have been charged with vehicle burglary in Utah or are curious about the vehicle burglary laws, here are four things you should know.

1. What qualifies as vehicle burglary?

According to the Utah code for vehicle burglary, the actions below qualify as crimes of vehicle burglary.

• Any person who unlawfully enters any vehicle with intent to commit a felony or theft is guilty of a burglary of a vehicle

2. What type of crime is vehicle burglary?

As stated in the Utah code, vehicle burglary is a class A misdemeanor, which is the most serious misdemeanor.

Additionally, if a person commits an act listed in the code that increases the severity of the burglary charge, that person may be charged with aggravated burglary, which is a first-degree felony.

The following is a list of the circumstances that may elevate a charge to an aggravated burglary. You can see the complete language on the official code website.

A person is guilty of aggravated burglary if in attempting, committing, or fleeing from a burglary the actor or another participant in the crime

• Causes bodily injury to any person who is not a participant in the crime
• Uses or threatens the immediate use of a dangerous weapon against any person who is not a participant in the crime.
• Possesses or attempts to use any explosive or dangerous weapon.
  

3. What are the penalties for vehicle burglary in Utah?

The penalties for vehicle burglary are listed according to maximums. A judge will determine exactly what an offender’s penalty will be.

Class A Misdemeanor Vehicle Burglary
A person who has been convicted of a class A misdemeanor may be sentenced with 

• Imprisonment for a term not up to 364 days
• A fine up to $2,500

First-Degree Felony Burglary
A person who has been convicted of a first-degree felony may be sentenced with

• Imprisonment for a term up to five years
• A fine up to $10,000

Keep in mind that felony convictions can also have lifelong consequences well after a case has been resolved.

4. Do I need a lawyer to represent my vehicle burglary case?

If you have been charged with vehicle burglary, you deserve to have your rights protected. A free consultation with the criminal lawyers at Brown, Bradshaw & Moffat will help you determine the best course of action for your case. Our defense team has handled burglary cases for decades, and we help clients charged with both misdemeanor and felony burglary cases in Salt Lake County and many other counties throughout Utah.

Contact us at (801) 532-5297 if you have questions about burglary charges, or if you are ready to talk about the best way to defend your vehicle burglary case.