Taking a car for a joy ride is illegal in Weld County and you can be charged with Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft if you do. It is considered First-Degree Aggravated Vehicle Theft: if you keep the car for longer than 24 hours, attempt to change the look of the car, or use it to commit another crime. You will need an experienced criminal car theft lawyer to help you navigate the court system if you are charged with felony Aggravated Vehicle Theft or joyriding. A Colorado teen was charged with Aggravated Vehicle Theft after he crashed the car while trying to flee a traffic stop. When faced with an alleged Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in the first or second degree, you will want to learn more about this charge and find the best criminal lawyer to defend you.
What is the Definition of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in the First-Degree in Greeley, Colorado?
The Greeley, Colorado law definition of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in the First-Degree – C.R.S. 18-4-409 is:
(a) Retains possession or control of the motor vehicle for more than twenty-four hours; or
(b) Attempts to alter or disguise or alters or disguises the appearance of the motor vehicle; or
(c) Attempts to alter or remove or alters or removes the vehicle identification number; or
(d) Uses the motor vehicle in the commission of a crime other than a traffic offense; or
(e) Causes five hundred dollars or more property damage; or
(f) Causes bodily injury to another person while he or she is in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle; or
(g) Removes the motor vehicle from this state for a period of time in excess of twelve hours; or
(h) Unlawfully attaches or otherwise displays in or upon the motor vehicle license plates other than those officially issued for the motor vehicle.
If the teen in the above story caused more than $500 in damages, or was in control of the car for more than twenty-four hours, then he would be charged with first-degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft. If the charge did not include any of the above factors, he would have been charged with Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in the second-degree.
What is the Weld County Definition of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft / Joyriding in the Second-Degree?
The Weld County law definition of Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in the Second-Degree – C.R.S. 18-4-409 is:
2nd Degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft is designed for people who steal a car but do not do anything malicious with it, but joyride. Since the teen in the story was not just “joy riding” he would have been charged with First-Degree Aggravated Vehicle Theft.
What are the Penalties for Aggravated Vehicle Theft in the First or Second Degree in Greeley, Colorado?
The sentence penalties for Aggravated Vehicle Theft in Greeley, Colorado depend on a lot of factors, but mostly the value of the car. In addition to the penalties for the crime, if convicted of this theft, the person will also lose their driver’s license for at least one year.
First-degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft is always a felony. Depending on the value of the vehicle, penalties include: 1 – 12 years in the Colorado State Prison, and/or $1,000 – $750,000 in fines.
Second-degree Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft / Joyriding can be a felony or misdemeanor, depending on the value of the vehicle. Felony penalties include: 1 – 3 years in prison, and/or $1,000 – $100,000 in fines. The misdemeanor penalties are: 6 – 18 months in jail, and/or $500 – $5,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in the First Degree or Second Degree, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Greeley criminal defense theft attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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