What Are the Penalties for Theft In Colorado?
Colorado’s criminal justice system takes theft very seriously. Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-4-401, the law states: “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; 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…”
Colorado’s penalties for theft convictions depend on the classification of the crime. Understanding the potential penalties for a theft conviction in Colorado is crucial for those charged or under investigation.
Common Crimes of Theft In Colorado Courts
Theft is inarguably one of the most common crimes penalized throughout the history of legal systems worldwide, including in Colorado. The most common theft crimes categorized in Colorado include the following:
- Stolen property
- Motor vehicle theft and aggravated motor vehicle theft
- Theft of sound recordings
- Theft of cable TV services
- Theft of trade secrets
- Sound recording theft
- Transportation services theft
- Resale ticket theft
Depending on the value of the item or service stolen, a Colorado theft crime charge may be a misdemeanor or felony.
Misdemeanor Theft Penalties In Colorado
Law enforcement charges misdemeanor offenses for the theft of goods or services valued between $300-$2,000. Class 2 misdemeanors apply to theft of items valued between $300 to $1,000 with the following penalties:
- Up to 120 days in jail
- Fines of up to $750
Class 1 misdemeanors apply to stolen goods or services valued between $1,000 and $2,000 with the following penalties for a conviction:
- Up to 364 days in jail
- Fines of up to $1,000
Shoplifting, failure to return borrowed property, failure to repay a loan, writing bad checks, and embezzlement are common misdemeanor theft crimes in Colorado. With plea deals, the court could order probation rather than incarceration for misdemeanor theft convictions. The court may also require those convicted of misdemeanor theft crimes to pay restitution to the victim.
Penalties for Felony Theft Convictions In Colorado
Felony theft convictions have more serious repercussions for conviction in Colorado, including the following penalties depending on the felony’s class:
- A class 1 misdemeanor conviction brings a penalty of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5000
- A class 6 felony conviction brings a maximum penalty of 18 months in prison, fines of up to $100,000, or both
- A class 5 felony conviction may bring up to 3 years in prison, a $100,000 fine, or both
- A class 4 felony conviction brings a penalty of 6 years in prison, a $500,000 fine, or both
- A class 3 felony conviction brings up to 12 years in prison, a fine of $750,000, or both
- A class 2 felony conviction brings a maximum penalty of 24 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both
Felony convictions have serious long-term impacts, including prison time, fines, and a permanent criminal record that can adversely affect career opportunities. All defendants facing theft charges in Colorado have a right to a strong legal defense strategy. Reach out to our theft defense attorneys in Colorado Springs to discuss your case.