Colorado Embezzlement Lawyer

Embezzlement in the state of Colorado is also called theft under CRS 18-4-403. It encompasses a person who is in a position of power or trust, who has access to assets of another party and steals those assets. Additionally, in Colorado if you are charged with embezzlement—i.e., theft—of a public property, you could be charged with a felony.

WHAT IS THE STATUTE?

Under C.R.S 18-4-401, a person commits theft when he or she knowingly 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.

An example of embezzlement would be if you were a financial advisor and had access to a person’s bank accounts, stocks, trades, etc. and you used your access to take money from those accounts, for your own personal use.

There is a more serious form of embezzlement in Colorado. It is under CRS 18-8-407, embezzlement of public property. The difference with this charge, is the person who is stealing, is a public official, such as the mayor. That public official is stealing money from the public. Examples of this could include, the mayor using city funds for a family vacation, the city attorney using evidence cameras to take private photos, etc.

WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT?

Theft is punishable by a wide range of penalties, depending on the value of the item that was taken. For example, a class 2 felony is committed if the value of the property is one million dollars or more. The higher the value, the higher the penalty.

Embezzlement of public property is prosecuted as a class 5 felony.

A class 2 felony is punishable by eight to twelve years imprisonment plus one year of parole, a fine of five thousand dollars to one million dollars, or both.

A class 5 felony is punishable by one to two years of imprisonment, plus one year of parole, a fine of one thousand dollars to one hundred thousand dollars, or both.

HOW CAN WEBER LAW HELP YOU?

It can be scary and nerve wracking to have criminal charges on your record. It can also be intimidating to face the court system for potential felony charges. Let Weber Law help you today. Our experienced team is comfortable looking at evidence, negotiating potential plea agreements, and defending you in court. There are ways to fight the charge of embezzlement, including not knowing the money was not from your account or accidentally using public property privately. We will fight for you to keep your record clean and clear of criminal charges. If you or someone you know has been charged with embezzlement in the state of Colorado, contact Weber Law today.

• CRS 18-4-403, Statutory Intent
• CRS 18-4-401, Theft
  
• CRS 18-8-407, Embezzlement of public property
  
• CRS 18-1.3-401, Felonies classified- presumptive penalties