Juvenile Motor Vehicle Theft is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person is accused of taking a vehicle without authorization. There are three different degrees of Motor Vehicle Theft in Loveland and across Colorado. Two juveniles were recently charged Motor Vehicle Theft after they went on a joy ride and evaded police. According to the report, a vehicle was reported stolen and located by Colorado State Patrol. The two juveniles in the vehicle – a male and female – were able to evade police. However, they were later discovered while exiting the vehicle. The driver tried to run, but was caught. Both teens were arrested and charged with Motor Vehicle Theft.
Motor Vehicle Theft Lawyer in Larimer County: How is Motor Vehicle Theft Charged in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Motor Vehicle Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-409 – is:
(3) A person commits motor vehicle theft in the second degree if the person knowingly obtains, exercises control over, receives, or retains the motor vehicle of another person; and the person knows or should reasonably have known that the act was without authorization or was by threat or deception; and:
(a) The person retains possession or control of the motor vehicle for more than twenty-four hours;
(b) The person attempts to alter or disguise or alters or disguises the appearance of the motor vehicle;
(c) The person attempts to alter or remove or alters or removes the vehicle identification number;
(d) The person removes the motor vehicle from this state;
(e) The person unlawfully attaches or displays a license plate in or upon the motor vehicle other than those plates officially issued for the motor vehicle;
(f) The person or a participant causes one thousand dollars or more property damage, including property damage to the motor vehicle involved, in the course of obtaining control over, in the exercise of control of, in the course of receiving, or in the course of retaining the motor vehicle;
(g) The person causes bodily injury to another person other than to a participant while in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle;
(h) The person uses or attempts to use the motor vehicle in the commission of a crime other than:
(I) A traffic offense except eluding a police officer as described in section 42-4-1413; or
(II) A first or second degree criminal trespass of the motor vehicle; or
(i) At the time of the act, the motor vehicle displayed a license plate or placard indicating the motor vehicle belongs to a person with a disability.
(4) A person commits motor vehicle theft in the third degree if the person knowingly:
(a) Obtains or exercises control over the motor vehicle of another person; and the person knows or should reasonably have known that the act was without authorization or was by threat or deception; or
(b) Receives or retains the motor vehicle from another person who is not the owner of the motor vehicle; the person exercises control over the motor vehicle; and the person knows or should reasonably have known that the act was without authorization of the owner.
How Are Juvenile Cases Handled in Larimer County Court?
Why the charged levels remain the same –a class 4 felony is a class 4 felony whether committed by and adult or a juvenile. However, the sentencing phase is what is different. In many situations, juvenile cases are viewed more on rehabilitation. How to successfully rehabilitate a juvenile to ensure they will not commit another crime in the future. It’s less focused on punishment in that way. However, this does not mean that the prosecutor will go easy. You still need to have an experienced attorney on your child’s case to make sure their future is protected.