In Weld County, theft of a person’s property that is valued at $2,000 or more results in a Felony Theft Charge (it is also call Grand Theft or Grand Larceny). This criminal charge has penalties of prison or probation, fines, and a felony criminal record that follows you for the rest of your life. Below, our experienced Theft lawyers discuss Felony Theft Charges and why you should hire skilled criminal defense lawyers to get the best outcome in your case. If you are facing Theft Charges in Fort Collins or Larimer County, then get help here.
Legal Definition of Theft Charges, C.R.S. 18-4-401, in Greeley, Colorado
The legal definition of Theft used by Greeley, Colorado Courts, located at C.R.S. 18-4-401, is:
(1) A person commits theft when he or she knowingly obtains, retains, or exercises control over anything of value of another without authorization or by threat or deception; or receives, loans money by pawn or pledge on, or disposes of anything of value or belonging to another that he or she knows or believes to have been stolen, and:
(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.
In Colorado, there is not a separate definition for Misdemeanor Theft or Felony Theft, but the difference between the two are the value of the property stolen. If the property is valued at more than $300 or less than $2,000, then it is charged as Misdemeanor Theft. If the value of the property is more than $2,000, then it will be charged as a Felony Theft. It is important to note that the Greeley Police will often not use the value of the item in its current age and condition, but instead they will use the price of a new item, to increase the severity of charges. For this and other reasons, it is important to have an experienced Theft attorney to fight for your rights.
What is the Difference Between Pick-Pocketing and Grand Larceny in Weld County?
In Weld County, both Pick-Pocketing and Grand Larceny can be felony offenses. The difference is that that “Pick-Pocket” or Theft by force, threat, or intimidation is a felony no matter the value of the items stolen. For Grand Larceny to be charged, the value of the item needs to be more than $2,000. In Colorado, Theft by force is usually called Robbery. If a gun or knife is used, it is called Aggravated Robbery.
Sentence and Penalties for Grand Theft in Windsor, Ault, or Severance, Colorado
The value of the property stolen determine the sentence and penalty for Felony Theft in Windsor, Ault, or Severance. Property 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. For property of $1,000,000 or more, the sentence is the most severe and is a class 2 felony. The penalties for a class 2 felony are 8 – 24 years in prison and / or $5,000 – $1,000,000 in fines, with 5 years of mandatory parole.
Why Hire Experienced Theft Attorney for Your Felony Theft Charge in Weld County?
Are you facing a Felony Theft charge in Weld County? Let the attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office fight for you. With over 30 years of experience in criminal Theft charges, our attorneys can look at the details of your case and sometimes get a lesser charge or dismissal. It is important for your future options at college, career, and finances to have an attorney willing to work hard for the best outcome.