Sometimes plans don't always work the way we think they will. According to a recent news story, one man's plan to get some extra money landed him with criminal charges. Apparently, in his efforts to gather money from parking meters, he caused $4,000 worth of damage. The man allegedly backed his truck into a pole that was holding the parking meters. Once the meters were loosened, he removed them and placed them in his truck. To the man's dismay, after all of his efforts, he only found $30 worth of coins inside. A few days later, police were able to track down the man after identifying his license plate. In Denver and Adams County, and across Colorado, this man would face criminal charges of Criminal Mischief and Theft.

Facing charges of Criminal Mischief?

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What is Criminal Mischief in Douglas County – Depending on Damage Caused?

The definition of Criminal Mischief, C.R.S. 18-4-501, in Douglas and Jefferson County is whenever someone:

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“…knowingly damages the real or personal property of one or more other persons, including property owned by the person jointly with another person or property owned by the person in which another person has a possessory or proprietary interest, in the course of a single criminal episode.”

Here is the range of misdemeanor charges and jail sentences a defendant could face depending on the dollar amount of damage caused to real or personal property:

Class of Misdemeanor Offense Dollar Amount of Damage Colorado Jail Sentence Class 3 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief If the aggregate damage is less than $300 Up to 6 months in the Douglas County Jail Class 2 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief If the aggregate damage is $300 or more but less than $750 3 months to 12 months in the El Paso County Jail Class 1 Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief Where the aggregate damage is $750 or more but less than $1,000 6 months to 18 months in the Morgan County Jail

Here is the range of felony charges and prison sentences a defendant could face depending on the dollar amount of damage caused to real or personal property:

Class of Felony Offense Dollar Amount of Damage Colorado Prison Sentence Class 6 Felony Criminal Mischief $1,000 or more but less than $5,000 1 year to 18 months in the Colorado  Department of Corrections Class 5 Felony Criminal Mischief $5,000 or more but less than $20,000 1 year to 4 years in DOC Class 4 Felony Criminal Mischief $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 2 years to 6 years in DOC Class 3 Felony Criminal Mischief $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000 4 years to 12 years in DOC Class 2 Felony Criminal Mischief $1,000,000 or more 8 years to 24 years in DOC

Since the man backed into and knocked down the parking meters, he knowingly damaged the real property of one or more other persons. For causing $4,000 worth of damage, he would face a class 6 felony charge in Colorado.

Theft in Aurora and Englewood, Colorado

Theft, C.R.S. 18-4-401, is charged in many ways in Aurora, Englewood and Highlands Ranch. One way it's charged is if, after someone obtains, retains, or exercises control over anything of value of 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, he / she intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value. The man in the news story stole the parking meters (an item of value), which means he exercised control over them without authorization. While Criminal Mischief is charged according to the dollar amount of damage that's caused, Theft is charged according to the dollar value of the item that was stolen.

Here is the range of petty offense / misdemeanor charges and jail sentences a defendant could face in Colorado, depending on the value of the item stolen:

Class of Petty / Misdemeanor Offense Item Value Colorado Jail Sentence Class 1 Petty Offense Theft If the item value is less than $50 0 months to 6 months in the Jefferson County Jail / $500 in fines Class 3 Misdemeanor Theft If the item value is $50 or more but less than $300 Up to 6 months in the Douglas County Jail / Up to $750 in fines Class 2 Misdemeanor Theft If the item value is $300 or more but less than $750 3 months to 12 months in the Arapahoe County Jail Class 1 Misdemeanor Theft If the item value is $750 or more but less than $2,000 6 months to 18 months in the Denver County Jail

Here is the range of felony charges and prison sentences a defendant could face in Colorado, depending on the value of the item stolen:

Class of Felony Item Value Colorado Prison Sentence Class 6 Felony Theft If the item value is $2,000 or more but less than $5,000 1 year to 18 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections Class 5 Felony Theft If the item value is $5,000 or more but less than $20,000 1 year to 4 years in DOC Class 4 Felony Theft If the item value is $20,000 or more but less than $100,000 2 years to 6 years in DOC Class 3 Felony Theft If the item value is $100,000 or more but less than $1,000,000 4 years to 12 years in DOC Class 2 Felony Theft If the item value is $1,000,000 or more 8 years to 24 years in DOC

Charged with Theft or Criminal Mischief in Denver? You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney

Theft and Criminal Mischief can be overcharged in Denver County and Arapahoe County, and throughout Colorado. Since it's so easy to be overcharged by the government, it's vital for you to hire a criminal defense attorney right away. Our experienced criminal defense lawyers fight hard for favorable plea agreements or case dismissals. We work hard to uncover the truth in every criminal case.

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

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