Recently in Colorado, police responded to a call from a local Safeway. A store employee reported that a man left the store without paying for his cart of groceries. When confronted by the employee, the man ran away with the groceries after saying he needed to eat. If he had been caught, the man would have been charged with Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401. This kind of thing could happen in our own neighborhoods in Weld, Morgan or Logan County.
We are in a Sad State When Good People Steal Groceries to Feed their Families
It is very sad to realize that this man was resorting to theft in order to feed himself. People all over the country are struggling with this basic need – recently in Ohio, a woman was charged with theft after she stole $2.87 from a public fountain in order to buy groceries! As criminal defense attorneys, we have received many more cases of people who have been charged with theft in Greeley, Fort Morgan and Johnstown after shoplifting food. Unfortunately, the law doesn’t differentiate between a $300 iPod or a $2 loaf of bread – anything under $500 is considered a class 2 misdemeanor.
What is the Sentence for Theft in Weld, Morgan and Logan County?
The level of severity of theft is based on the combined worth of the items that are stolen. If you steal items that are worth less than $500, you will be charged with a class 2 misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail, and a fine of up to $1,000. Theft of items that are valued between $500 to $999 is a class 1 misdemeanor (up to 18 months in jail and fine of up to $5,000), and theft of any items that are worth more than $1,000 is charged as a felony (which results in possible imprisonment in the Colorado Department of Corrections). Because your life can be very negatively affected by a conviction of theft, it is important that you work with an experienced attorney. We will be able to present your case to the District Attorney in a way that tells the true story – such as needing essentials to provide for your family. We will help prosecutors understand who you are as a person, and illustrate that you aren’t just another number on their docket. We care about you.
If you or a loved one has been arrested for theft in Greeley, Windsor or Eaton, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009, or submit the “Get Help Now” form. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: Pixabay – Alexas_Fotos