Denver Felony Theft Attorney
Theft is the taking of a thing of value from another person with the intent to permanently deprive the other person of the thing of value. The District Attorney must prove that you intended that the owner would never get the items or money back. If you borrowed the items or money, this is not considered to be a criminal act in Colorado - even if the owner was not aware that you borrowed it.Theft can be a felony or misdemeanor in Colorado, depending on the value of item(s) or money stolen. The class of criminal offense is determined by the value:
Theft of:
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Under $500 is a Class 2 Misdemeanor (M 2)
- $500 to $999.99 is a Class 1 Misdemeanor (M 1)
- $1,000 to $19,999.99 is a Class 4 Felony (F4)
- $20,000 or more is a Class 3 Felony (F3)
- Theft from the person of another by use of force, threat, or intimidation is a Class 3 Felony(F3)
If you steal something directly from the actual body of a person, for example, pick-pocketing someone, it is a Class 5 Felony, regardless of what is taken - even if it is worth a penny.
The sentence for Theft cases will often depend on the facts surrounding the case. Someone who steals something on a momentary impulse will likely get a lesser sentence than someone who stole methodically and repeatedly over time. A person who stole $16,000 may get probation, while the person who stole $200,000 may go to prison. Theft from at-risk adults or children will be treated more severely. Penalties are usually harsher when you steal from someone who has entrusted you, such as an employer.
