Experienced Defense Against Theft Crimes In Colorado
Charges of theft, robbery and burglary can leave a lasting impact on your future. They can make it much more difficult to find a job, pursue higher education or get access to student loans. For these reasons and more, it is crucial to vigorously contest these charges with the help of an attorney.
I’m attorney Elaine Lukic, a former prosecutor who has been practicing criminal law for more than 25 years. I have the skills, experience and resources to defend you against any type of criminal charges, including those alleging theft crimes.
What’s The Difference Between Theft, Burglary And Robbery?
These three terms are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings under Colorado’s criminal statutes. Here is a brief overview:
Theft involves the taking of someone else’s property without their consent, and the specific classification of theft depends on the value of the items taken. The stealing of property worth less than $50 is considered petty theft. Misdemeanor theft is the theft of property worth between $50 and $2,000. Finally, the theft of property worth more than $2,000 is charged as a felony.
Burglary is most often a specific theft scenario. You commit burglary when you wrongfully enter a building or other property in order to steal something. It could also involve wrongful entry in order to commit a different crime. Burglary is always charged as a felony in Colorado.
Robbery is also a specific theft scenario. It involves taking someone’s property by using force, threatening to use force or intimidating the victim. Robbery is always charged as a felony in Colorado.
The Details Are Critical To Your Defense
Although all three of these crimes involve an element of theft, they are charged differently and can carry significantly different penalties. For this reason, it is critical to have an experienced criminal defense attorney advocating for you from the beginning (usually right after being arrested).
If contacted early, I may be able to get charges dismissed or reduced based on the facts of the case. At the very least, I will gather all available evidence and immediately get to work building a strong defense against the charges.
These cases are not always as clear-cut as they seem. Common defenses might include:
- Showing that you were mistakenly identified by eyewitnesses
- Showing that you actually own the allegedly stolen property or that the alleged victim gave it to you
- Showing that you did not threaten anyone and were not in possession of a weapon
- Showing that the prosecution inflated the value of the stolen property in order to charge you with a more serious crime
Contact Me To Discuss Your Legal Options In A Free Consultation
With two Colorado locations, The Law Offices of Elaine E. Lukic serves clients in Lakewood and throughout the Denver metro area. To schedule your free initial consultation with a highly experienced criminal defense lawyer, call me at 800-478-8859 or send me an email. I can help.