In Larimer County and Fort Collins, Theft is charged when a person takes something from another with the intention of never giving it back. A news channel began an investigation into two deck contractors after they were contacted by customers whose money was taken, but no work was done on their decks. According to the report, the two contractors had required deposits for work up front and once they received the deposits, the customer wouldn’t hear from them again. Through the investigation, it was determined that the contractors stole at least $250,000 from at least a dozen customers. The contractors were arrested after two families filed police reports.
Larimer County Theft Lawyer: Definition of Contractors Theft in Colorado
The Larimer 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; or
(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.
Based on the information provided, it’s likely that the contractors were charged under subsection (a).
Sentence for Theft in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Theft can be a petty offense, misdemeanor, or felony depending on the amount or value of the stolen item. Theft is:
- A class 1 petty offense if the value of the thing involved is less than fifty dollars;
- A class 3 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is fifty dollars or more but less than three hundred dollars;
- A class 2 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is three hundred dollars or more but less than seven hundred fifty dollars;
- A class 1 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is seven hundred fifty dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars;
- A class 6 felony if the value of the thing involved is two thousand dollars or more but less than five thousand dollars;
- A class 5 felony if the value of the thing involved is five thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars;
- A class 4 felony if the value of the thing involved is twenty thousand dollars or more but less than one hundred thousand dollars;
- A class 3 felony if the value of the thing involved is one hundred thousand dollars or more but less than one million dollars; and
- A class 2 felony if the value of the thing involved is one million dollars or more.
The contractors were charged with a felony, meaning they are accused of taking at least $2,000 from customers. If every family identified in the news investigation came forward, then the men could be facing the class 3 felony if the total taken was actually $250,000.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Theft, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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