Charges for theft or offenses include forms of theft like shoplifting, motor vehicle theft, identity theft, theft by fraud and deceit, theft of rental property, theft of trade secrets, theft by receiving, theft of medical records, theft of fuel, newspaper theft, theft by writing a bad check, and even theft by resale of a lift ticket or coupon. Theft charges can also be included in other offenses such as burglary, and robbery. Theft charges are common charges in Colorado criminal courts. If you are facing theft charges, it is important to get the help of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
A conviction on a theft charge can leave that person with a permanent criminal record. Many companies run background checks on potential employees. A conviction for a theft charge can have a life- long negative impact. Many employers will not consider hiring a person that has a theft charge, regardless of the class which can be a petty, misdemeanor, or felony conviction. Even a misdemeanor theft conviction can affect a professional license. A felony conviction can result in significant prison time.
When a person is charge with an offense such as theft, it is important to hire an attorney that has a thorough understanding of Colorado’s criminal justice system. The law firm of Black & Graham, LLC has several lawyers that can complete a complete review of the facts, charges, and defenses in a criminal case. The law firm of Black & Graham, LLC focuses on reaching the best possible results for clients that are charged with a serious criminal offense or offenses.
Theft is defined in Colorado state law, Colorado Revised Statutes 18-4-401(1) Theft:
(1) A person commits theft when he knowingly obtains or exercises control over anything of value of another without authorization, or by threat or deception, and:
(a) Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value; or
(b) 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
(c) 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
(d) Demands any consideration to which he is not legally entitled as a condition of restoring the thing of value to the other person.
(1.5) For the purposes of this section, a thing of value is that of "another" if anyone other than the defendant has a possessory or proprietary interest therein.
(3) and (3.1) Repealed.
(2) Theft is:
(a) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2007, p. 1690, § 3, effective July 1, 2007.)
(b) A class 2 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is less than five hundred dollars;
(b.5) A class 1 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is five hundred dollars or more but less than one thousand dollars;
(c) A class 4 felony if the value of the thing involved is one thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars;
(d) A class 3 felony if the value of the thing involved is twenty thousand dollars or more.
(4) When a person commits theft twice or more within a period of six months without having been placed in jeopardy for the prior offense or offenses, and the aggregate value of the things involved is one thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars, it is a class 4 felony; however, if the aggregate value of the things involved is twenty thousand dollars or more, it is a class 3 felony.
(5) Theft from the person of another by means other than the use of force, threat, or intimidation is a class 5 felony without regard to the value of the thing taken.
(6) In every indictment or information charging a violation of this section, it shall be sufficient to allege that, on or about a day certain, the defendant committed the crime of theft by unlawfully taking a thing or things of value of a person or persons named in the indictment or information. The prosecuting attorney shall at the request of the defendant provide a bill of particulars.
(7) Repealed.
(8) A municipality shall have concurrent power to prohibit theft, by ordinance, where the value of the thing involved is less than one thousand dollars.
(9) (a) If a person is convicted of or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to theft by deception and the underlying factual basis of the case involves the mortgage lending process, a minimum fine of the amount of pecuniary harm resulting from the theft shall be mandatory, in addition to any other penalty the court may impose.
(b) A court shall not accept a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to another offense from a person charged with a violation of this section that involves the mortgage lending process unless the plea agreement contains an order of restitution in accordance with part 6 of article 1.3 of this title that compensates the victim for any costs to the victim caused by the offense.
(c) The district attorneys and the attorney general have concurrent jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute a violation of this section that involves making false statements or filing or facilitating the use of a document known to contain a false statement or material omission relied upon by another person in the mortgage lending process.
(d) Documents involved in the mortgage lending process include, but are not limited to, uniform residential loan applications or other loan applications; appraisal reports; HUD-1 settlement statements; supporting personal documentation for loan applications such as W-2 forms, verifications of income and employment, bank statements, tax returns, and payroll stubs; and any required disclosures.
(e) For the purposes of this subsection (9):
(I) "Mortgage lending process" means the process through which a person seeks or obtains a residential mortgage loan, including, without limitation, solicitation, application, or origination; negotiation of terms; third-party provider services; underwriting; signing and closing; funding of the loan; and perfecting and releasing the mortgage.
(II) "Residential mortgage loan" means a loan or agreement to extend credit, made to a person and secured by a mortgage or lien on residential real property, including, but not limited to, the refinancing or renewal of a loan secured by residential real property.
(III) "Residential real property" means real property used as a residence and containing no more than four families housed separately.
In addition, the definition of theft now includes crimes such as larceny, stealing, embezzlement (except embezzlement of public moneys), false pretenses, confidence games, and shoplifting.
