Most people don’t see a silver lining at the end of a crime, but the victim of this crime surely did. According to the news report, four men broke into a truck to take a laptop. They smashed the truck window and reached in to take the laptop not realizing what was in the back seat, a dog. After watching the surveillance video from the pub the truck was parked in front of, it seems the dog had been in the hot car for about 20 minutes before the thieves broke the window. It was another 40 minutes before the owner arrived, meaning the dog could have died if the men had not committed their crime. If the truck owner had reported the crime, the men would probably be charged with First Degree Trespassing and Theft.
Weld County 1st Degree Trespassing Attorney: What is First Degree Trespassing?
The Colorado law definition of First Degree Criminal Trespass – C.R.S. 18-4-502 – is:
Because the men unlawfully entered the truck to commit a Theft of the laptop, they could be facing this class 5 felony. In Weld, Morgan, and Logan County a class 5 felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections, parole and up to $100,000 in fines.
Have you been charged with Theft or 1st Degree Treaspassing? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Have you been charged with Theft or 1st Degree Treaspassing? Contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office to defend you today!
Greeley Theft Lawyer: What is the Definition of Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401?
Theft, in Greeley, Erie, and Evans, is taking something of value from someone with the intention of never giving it back. The value of the items taken is very important when it comes to the Theft statute, because that determines what level misdemeanor or felony is charged:
Petty and Misdemeanor Theft Offenses:
| Class 1 Petty Offense Theft | Class 3 Misdemeanor Theft | Class 2 Misdemeanor Theft | Class 1 Misdemeanor Theft | |
| Item Value or Price Range | Less than $50 | $50 to $299 | $300 to $749 | $750 to $1,999 |
| Maximum Penalty | *$500 fine
*6 months in Weld County Jail |
*$750 fine
*6 months in Morgan County Jail |
*$1,000 fine
*12 months in Logan County Jail |
*$5,000
*18 months in Weld County Jail |
Felony Theft Offenses:
| Class 6 Felony Theft | Class 5 Felony Theft | Class 4 Felony Theft | Class 3 Felony Theft | Class 2 Felony Theft | |
| Item Price Range | $2,000 to $4,999 | $5,000 to $19,999 | $20,000 to $99,999 | $100,000 to $999,999 | $1,000,000 or more |
| Maximum Penalty | *$100,000 fine
*18 months prison |
*$100,000 fine
*3 years prison |
*$500,000 fine
*6 years prison |
$750,000 fine
*12 years prison |
*$1,000,000 fine
*24 years prison |
If the laptop was valued at about $1,000, then the men would be facing a class 1 misdemeanor Theft charge. If the total value of everything was worth more than $2,000, then the men would be facing a felony charge.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Theft or Trespassing, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the Larimer County’s best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Source: Pixabay-EnriqueZavaleta