Motor Vehicle Theft is charged in Greeley and Weld County when a person is accused of having control over a vehicle without authorization. A man was recently charged with this, among some other serious crimes, after he was accused of running over a woman who confronted him while he was stealing from her car. According to the report, the woman saw the man taking things from her vehicle and confronted him. He ended up getting in his truck, pointing a gun at her and then driving over her. Through investigation, the man was located and it turns out the truck he was driving was reported stolen. So, along with the Trespassing, Vehicular Assault, and Menacing charges, he is also facing Motor Vehicle Theft charges.
Motor Vehicle Theft Lawyer in Greeley: How Does Colorado Handle Motor Vehicle Theft Cases?
The Greeley, 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.
As you can see, there are three degrees of Motor Vehicle Theft. It’s likely he would be charged with the Second Degree Motor Vehicle Theft as outlined under subsection (g) he caused bodily injury to another while in control of the vehicle.
Sentence for Motor Vehicle Theft in Johnstown and Firestone
In Johnstown, Firestone, and across Colorado, Motor Vehicle Theft is charged as follows:
- Motor vehicle theft in the first degree is a class 3 felony.
- Motor vehicle theft in the second degree is a class 4 felony.
- Motor vehicle theft in the third degree is a class 5 felony.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Motor Vehicle Theft, be smart exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together we can protect your future.
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