Shoplifting might sound like a minor offense—but in Greeley and Weld County, Colorado, a Theft charge can have serious legal and personal consequences. Whether it’s a misunderstanding, a mistake, or a momentary lapse in judgment, getting caught shoplifting can result in criminal charges that impact your record, your employment, and your future. If you’re facing a Shoplifting Theft charge, understanding the law and your rights is the first step toward protecting yourself.
Theft Lawyer in Weld County: What Is Shoplifting Under Colorado Law?
In Colorado, shoplifting is generally charged under the broader statute of Theft. The Weld County, Colorado law definition of Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401 – 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;
(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; or
(f) Intentionally misrepresents or withholds a material fact for determining eligibility for a public benefit and does so for the purpose of obtaining or retaining public benefits for which the person is not eligible.
In the context of shoplifting, this usually involves:
- Concealing merchandise and attempting to leave a store without paying
- Switching price tags to pay less than full value
- Returning stolen goods for store credit or cash
Penalties for Shoplifting in Windsor, Colorado: How is Shoplifting Theft Charged?
The penalties for Shoplifting Theft depend primarily on the value of the stolen property. Here’s a breakdown:
- Less than $300 – Petty offense (formerly a Class 3 misdemeanor). Possible penalty: Up to 10 days in jail and/or a fine up to $300.
- $300–$999 – Class 2 misdemeanor. Possible penalty: Up to 120 days in jail and/or a fine up to $750.
- $1,000–$1,999 – Class 1 misdemeanor. Up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.
- $2,000 and up – Felony charges begin here. For example:
- $2,000–$4,999: Class 6 felony
- $5,000–$19,999: Class 5 felony
- $20,000 and up: Higher felony classes with longer prison time and higher fines