Theft, Fraud & Property Crimes
By Attorney Charles E. Liken Jr., former Colorado Deputy District Attorney. From a shoplifting ticket to a felony fraud case — Colorado theft defense, by the numbers.
Charles E. Liken Jr., Esq. — On the Legal Front Lines · Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney ~ 20+ Years in Private Practice · Colorado Deputy District Attorney · Colorado Court-Appointed Child and Family Investigator
In Colorado, the dollar figure is the charge
Colorado grades theft almost entirely by value (C.R.S. § 18-4-401) — the same conduct is a petty offense at one number and a serious felony at another, and prosecutors can aggregate. Where the value, the intent, and the evidence actually land is where these cases are won.
Ready when you are — talk it through with Attorney Liken.
Your choice: no-charge 20-minute phone call OR in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.
Protect the record, not just the case
A theft conviction is a scarlet letter on every future background check. The goal is the outcome that keeps it off — diversion, a reduction, or a dismissal that can later be sealed.
Frequently asked questions
How does Colorado decide if theft is a felony or a misdemeanor?
Largely by dollar value. Colorado's theft statute (C.R.S. § 18-4-401) uses a sliding scale — low-value thefts are petty offenses or misdemeanors, and the charge climbs to a felony as the value rises. The firm scrutinizes how the State arrived at that value.
What are the penalties for a theft conviction?
They range from fines and a petty-offense record to years in prison for high-value or repeat felony theft, plus restitution. Beyond the sentence, theft is treated as a crime of dishonesty that can haunt job applications, which is why fighting it, or later sealing it, matters.
Can theft charges be reduced or dismissed?
Often there is room. Weaknesses in proof of intent, disputes over value, ownership questions, and search-and-seizure issues all create leverage. A former prosecutor knows where these cases are vulnerable.
Will a theft charge stay on my record?
A conviction stays until it is sealed. If your case is dismissed or you are acquitted you may be able to seal it quickly; convictions may become eligible later under Colorado's sealing rules.
Take the first step. We'll take it from there.
No-charge 20-minute phone consultation, or an in-depth hour ($300) — both directly with Attorney Liken.