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 · Former Government Investigator, Denver Human Services · Licensed Colorado Attorney · 20+ Years in Private Practice · Former 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 what these cases turn on.
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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?
Sometimes, depending on the evidence; no lawyer can promise a result. 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.
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No-charge 20-minute phone consultation directly with Attorney Liken.