If you are facing a theft crime charge in Glendale, Englewood, or anywhere else in Colorado – regardless of the type of theft or the monetary value allegedly stolen – you are facing a number of potentially grave, life-changing consequences. Not only is there the immediate danger of penalties like imprisonment, but there’s also the risk of the long-term drawback of having a permanent stain on your record. A criminal record can keep you from landing jobs, securing housing, and getting loans. To keep your theft crime charge from resulting in both immediate and long-term consequences, enlisting the aid of a seasoned Denver theft charges lawyer is essential.
What Is Considered a Theft Crime in Colorado?
Denver Theft Charges Attorney Kevin Cahill Explains
Though mistakenly dismissed by many as a victimless offense, theft is considered to be a very serious crime by Colorado courts. In South Denver and beyond, theft crimes are penalized harshly, with sentences ranging from fines to house arrest to imprisonment. Depending on the nature of the crime, theft can be considered either a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado, and the severity of the penalty is typically determined by the value of what has been stolen.
The term encompasses a wide range of criminal offenses associated with taking another’s property or money without permission. Theft crimes can be conducted through coercion or other deceptive means. Unlike robbery, however, theft typically occurs without another person being present or threatened. If violence or force is used to take something from another individual, it becomes a robbery crime. In cases involving robbery allegations, consulting a Denver robbery defense lawyer is essential to build a strategic and effective defense according to your specific situation.
Types of Theft
There are many different ways that someone can commit theft in Colorado, and each one can be classified as its own specific crime. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of theft:
- Shoplifting. Too often, South Denver residents disregard shoplifting as a minor crime – a victimless offense committed by delinquent kids or bored housewives. But the truth is, people of many different ages and backgrounds steal from stores for a variety of different reasons, costing businesses billions of dollars each year. Because of this, Colorado law takes a very stern approach to shoplifting crimes, doling out punishments that range from fines to up to 12 years of prison time. What’s more, you can be arrested for this type of crime even if you are doing something you didn’t realize was shoplifting, such as opening an item in a grocery store before paying for it. Regardless of what behavior has earned you a shoplifting charge, you’ll need a tough defense if you want to avoid harsh penalties.
- Theft of motor vehicles. Theft of a car or truck, or aggravated or grand theft auto, refers to the theft of a vehicle that is powered by something other than muscles. This is a broad category that includes cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and scooters. Theft occurs when you knowingly obtain possession or control of someone else’s vehicle without permission. Consequences range from thousands of dollars in fines to up to 24 years in prison.
- Theft of rental property. This type of theft generally occurs when someone rents a vehicle, tools, furniture, or other equipment or goods and fails to return it at the completion of the agreed rental period. The penalties for theft of a rental property in Englewood can include hefty fines and up to 18 years imprisonment.
- Identity theft. Identity theft occurs when someone’s identity is used by another without permission, to gain a benefit. Most commonly, identity theft is used to obtain credit cards, cell phones, rental goods, and loans in someone else’s name. Identity theft offenders often obtain personal information by stealing mail, trash, or wallets, or by hacking into email accounts. People in Denver who are convicted of identity theft are often charged with accompanying crimes, such as forgery or theft of personal property.
- Theft of trade secrets. Trade secrets are something that gives a business an economic advantage over its competitors and that is kept confidential from outside parties, such as a recipe, process, design, or instrument. Theft of trade secrets crimes occur when someone tries to deprive the owner of control of the secret or tries to use it to gain some benefit. In Colorado, this type of crime is considered to be a Class 1 misdemeanor if it is your first offense and a Class 6 felony if you have a prior conviction within the last five years. Consulting a felony defense lawyer can be crucial in navigating the complexities of such cases, whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or felony charge.
These are only some of the many different crimes that can qualify as theft in our state. Regardless of what type of theft crime you have been charged with, you are facing large fines and possibly even heavy prison sentences. To protect your rights and freedom, you’ll need a top Denver theft crimes attorney with experience in this unique area of the law.
Every type of theft case is different. If you have been arrested for theft, you need a Denver theft charges lawyer who understands the nuances of the specific crime you are charged with. That gives you the best chance of avoiding a heavy prison sentence. Kevin Cahill is that type of attorney. To schedule a consultation with him, call 720-548-2990 today.
Why Choose Denver Theft Charges Lawyer Kevin Cahill?
Get Years of Experience on Your Side
The legal team at the Law Office of Kevin Cahill has been defending the rights of those accused of theft crimes in Colorado for nearly a decade. Mr. Cahill’s years of work for a large Denver-area law firm have given him time to hone his craft, and today he is one of the leading authorities in criminal justice in South Denver and beyond. Since opening his law firm, Kevin Cahill has handled thousands of cases, always fighting to get the best possible outcome for his clients.
An Attorney Who Understands What You Need
As important as experience and success are, Kevin Cahill understands that it is equally important for a defense attorney to make clients feel safe. Mr. Cahill does this in several ways. You can contact the Law Office of Kevin Cahill 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is particularly important if you were arrested on a weekend or after normal working hours. Additionally, Kevin Cahill offers free consultations for all potential clients. When you are under stress and worried about the future, you shouldn’t have to wait or be charged without understanding your options. This is a law firm that understands that and makes your life easier during a time of duress.
Denver Theft Charges FAQs
Most people will never face criminal charges. This means that many of our clients have never experienced the criminal justice system when they contact us. Unsurprisingly, they have lots of questions. As much as we are happy to answer our clients’ questions, we also want to save you time by answering some of the most common questions before you ask them.
If you have any other questions about Denver theft charges, ask Kevin Cahill during your free consultation.
Don’t Wait to Get Help With Your Case
Theft crimes attorney, Kevin Cahill, has years of experience assisting clients in Glendale, Englewood, and other areas of Denver who are facing a wide variety of theft crime charges. His goal is always to help them understand their options and secure the best possible results for their case. Mr. Cahill employs a comprehensive range of defense strategies and techniques, fighting for his clients’ freedom with aggression and passion.
When you contact our Denver theft crimes attorney, you bring one of Colorado’s finest criminal defense attorneys into your corner. Don’t risk your personal freedoms and future – contact Kevin Cahill today at (720) 548-2990.
ATTORNEY KEVIN CAHILL
Denver Defense Lawyer Kevin Cahill never assumes that your case is a lost cause. He is a confident and fearless litigator who refuses to back down when he is fighting to protect the rights of his clients. Regardless of whether you are facing a felony or a misdemeanor, it is vital that you take the charges seriously and seek out legal representation as soon as possible so you can start building your defense. [ ATTORNEY BIO ]
