The holidays can be tough for families who are struggling financially. Every parent wants to give their child a good Christmas and sometimes that's not always easy. However, Theft is not the answer. According to the news, giving his child a good Christmas was perhaps all one father wanted to do when he brought his child into a Walmart to participate in an event called Shop with a Trooper. The event happens every year and it is where state police help children out by buying them gifts during the holidays. While the father's child was shopping with the troopers, however, the father was caught trying to steal a drill that cost less than $40. In Denver and Arapahoe County, he would likely be charged with shoplifting Theft.

Facing charges of Shoplifting Theft?

Definition of Shoplifting Theft in Adams County

In Adams and Douglas County, the definition of shoplifting Theft, C.R.S. 18-4-401, is:

“A person commits theft when he or she knowingly obtains, retains, or exercises control over anything of value or another without authorization or by threat or deception; or receives, loans money by pawn or pledge on, or disposes of anything of value or belonging to another that he or she knows or believes to have been stolen, and: (a) Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value; (b) Knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value in such manner as to deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit; (c) Uses, conceals, or abandons the thing of value intending that such use, concealment, or abandonment will deprive the other person permanently of its use or benefit; (d) Demands any consideration to which he or she is not legally entitled as a condition of restoring the thing of value to the other person; or (e) Knowingly retains the thing of value more than seventy-two hours after the agreed-upon time of return in any lease or hire agreement.”

Because the father knowingly obtained, retained or exercised control over something of value from Walmart without authorization and intended to deprive Walmart of the its use or benefit, he could be charged with Theft. Since the drill cost less than $40, the father would likely be charged with petty offense Theft, which could result in up to 6 months in the Adams County jail. It's likely the father was struggling financially since he brought his child to the Shop with a Trooper event. While this may explain his attempt to steal from the store, it is no excuse. But, there are many situations where people are charged with shoplifting Theft because of financial stress in their lives. If you've been arrested or charged with shoplifting Theft in Arapahoe County, contact a skilled Theft criminal defense lawyer immediately. You need someone who will stand by your side and listen to your side of the story.

Jefferson County Shoplifting Theft Still Charged Even If You Haven't Left the Store

The father in this news story didn't leave the store before being caught and arrested for shoplifting. In Denver and Jefferson County, there are many other cases where people are charged with shoplifting Theft even if they didn't leave the store with an item. Concealing the item with the intent to steal it, can qualify you for a conviction.  In every Theft case, a Jefferson County DA would still have to prove you had intent to take an item from the store to be convicted. It's absolutely vital you hire a Theft criminal defense lawyer if you've been accused, arrested or charged with shoplifting Theft. And, never talk with police.  Too much is at stake and the police are not your friend.

Get Help Now

If you or a loved one has been charged with Theft in Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Theft criminal defense attorney at the O'Malley Law Office at 303-830-0880. Together, we can protect your future.Request a Free Consultation

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