Have you been accused in Weld County of Felony Theft? If you have stolen another person’s property valued at $2,000.00 or higher, you could be charged with Felony Theft and face lengthy time in prison and a hefty fine. In Southern Colorado recently, a man was found guilty of Felony Theft after he stole money from multiple people, including an elderly man who he was supposed to be building a deck for. The theft was priced at over $20, 000 and one victim was an elderly at risk person. Facing a Felony Theft charge can affect your ability to work, your freedom, and have a negative financial impact on your life. The skilled attorneys at The O’Malley Law office will help you get the best outcome in your case. With over 30 years of experience, our criminal defense lawyers can navigate the Weld Count courts. Read more below as we discuss what you need to know about a Felony Theft charge. Knowledge is power.
What is the Definition of Theft, C.R.S. 18-4-401, in Greeley, Colorado?
The Colorado statute’s definition of Theft, C.R.S. 18-4-401, in Greeley is:
(a) Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value;
(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;
(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 or benefit;
(d) Demands any consideration to which he or she is not legally entitled as a condition of restoring the thing of value to the other person; or
(e) Knowingly retains the thing of value more than seventy-two hours after the agreed-upon time of return in any lease or hire agreement.
It is important to note that Misdemeanor and Felony Theft are classified by the “value” of the possession or item that was taken. In many cases, the Greeley Police will try and increase this value, to get the higher charge. An example would be someone accused of stealing an Iphone X, which originally cost $1,000. Even though the item is now a few years old, and no longer valued for sale to others at the new price, police will often take the brand new price and base their charges on that value. This dishonest practice is common, and will greatly affect restitution following any conviction.
In Weld County, What is the Difference Between Felony and Misdemeanor Theft?
In Weld County, the only difference between Felony and Misdemeanor Theft is the value of the property stolen. If the value is more than $2,000, then it can be charged as Felony Theft. It is also a felony if the person who the property was stolen from is elderly or a disabled person. This makes them an “at risk” person and the charge is increased from a Misdemeanor (based on value), to Felony Theft. The theft of money from an “at risk” person and the amount of money involved, are what caused the man in the above story to be charged with Felony Theft.
What are the Sentences and Penalties for Felony Theft in Greeley, Colorado?
The sentences and penalties for Felony Theft in Greeley, are based on the value of the property stolen. Property that is valued at $2,000 – $5, 000 is a class 6 felony, with penalties of 1 – 1 ½ years in Colorado State Prison, and/or $1,000 – $100,000 in fines and with 1 year mandatory parole. The most severe sentence is for a class 2 felony for property of $1,000,000 or more. The penalties for a class 2 felony is 8 – 24 years in prison and/or $5,000 – $1,000,000 in fines and with 5 years mandatory parole.
Hiring an aggressive criminal defense attorney who can fight for the best possible outcome in your case is essential. Greeley’s top attorneys can often get a theft charge reduced to a lesser charge. The lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office can help you with the unique specifics of your case and fight for your rights – including dismissal, probation or a reduced restitution level.
Have you or someone you love been falsely accused of a Felony Theft charge? Be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Greeley criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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