Colorado Theft Criminal Attorney
In Denver, Colorado, and throughout our state, the term "theft" is applied to many types of criminal activity involving the intent to permanently deprive someone of the use or value of their property. It encompasses crimes like:
- Burglary
- Vehicle Theft
- Felony Theft in Colorado
- Misdemeanor Theft in Colorado
- Altering or Forging a Prescription
- Embezzlement / Employee Theft
- Shoplifting Theft in Colorado
- Identity Theft in Colorado, C.R.S. 18-5-902
- Fraud by Check
- Theft by Receiving
- Petty Theft
- Civil Cases Disguised as Criminal Cases
The Elements of Theft Must Each be Proven
Theft in Colorado is charged under C.R.S. 18-4-401 when the police think they can prove that a person 1) knowingly obtains or exercises control over anything of value of another without authorization, or by threat or deception, and, 2) intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value, or, 3) knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value in such manner as to deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit, or, 4) uses, conceals or abandons the thing of value intending that such use, concealment, or abandonment will deprive the other person permanently of its use and benefit, or, 5) demands any consideration to which he is not legally entitled as a condition of resoring the thing of value to the other person.
Colorado theft is classified in the Colorado Revised Statutes 18-4-401 as a class 2 misdemeanor if the value of the item involved is less than $500. It is a class 1 misdemeanor if the item involved is $500 to $999. It is a class 4 felony if the value is $1,000 to $19,999.99. If valued at $20,000 or more, then the theft is classified as a class 3 felony. Remember, felonies are punishable by imprisonment in the Colorado Department of Corrections, and misdemeanors are punishable by a sentence to the county jail in Arapahoe County, Denver County, Douglas County, Adams County, and other Colorado counties. We represent people accused of theft in every Colorado county.
Adding Up Several Separate Thefts
Sometimes, the Colorado District Attorney of a county decides to take several separate thefts and add the values of the items stolen, to increase the classification of the charges under C.R.S. 18-4-401. Generally, the thefts need to be classified as "one scheme or course of conduct". What this means is that the items taken need to have sufficient similarities to be viewed as related. This rule which is authorized by Colorado statute, often comes into play when an employee commits several smaller thefts over a period of time from their employer. Taking $100 worth of goods from an employer, once per month for twelve months, might result in a class 4 felony charge due to the total value of $1,200.00 for the items taken, rather than twelve separate misdemeanor charges. Colorado felonies can have important implications to your future employment, so it is essential you find a full-time criminal defense lawyer. Your attorney should not be a part-time criminal attorney.
Whatever the alleged crime, if you have been charged with any type of Colorado property crime or theft, the sooner you get a defense lawyer on your side, the more options you will have for a favorable outcome. Often, a skilled lawyer can prevent charges from ever being filed by acting promptly to communicate legally with the police or alleged victim. An employer, for example, may agree to a plan of restitution in exchange for dropping embezzlement charges against an employee. We have caused this to occur before. Sometimes we can reduce a more serious charge of Robbery, which is really just a theft charge with force, to theft.
We're here to protect your rights after an arrest for theft or fraud.
Issues Relevant to Theft Cases - Really a Civil Case in Disguise?
With a weakening economy, many people find themselves making bad decisions just to survive. Sometimes the government takes people with civil cases and chooses to charge them as Colorado criminal theft offenses, just to have the threat of jail behind a claim for lost property or money. We have over eighteen years dealing with judges, prosecutors and alleged victims, and we have seen every type of scam alleged victims run. Whether you have a civil case that has been transformed into criminal charges, or a true criminal case, we will work hard for your trust as we explore the dismissal, settlement or trial of your case. We fight illegal searches, exaggerated charges and lying witnesses, which are often at the root of your defense. We represent clients from Denver, Colorado, to Fort Collins, to Grand Junction, to Pueblo. Wherever you are facing the fight of your life, we will be there for you.
Talk to a Crimial Attorney at No Charge About Your Criminal Defense Matter - Flexible Payment Plans Available
We offer a free initial consultation about your case in our office. We even have flexible payment plans to make our work for you affordable. So, if you have been contacted by a Colorado police officer regarding any potential theft charges, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us right away at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
