When police show up at your door accusing you of receiving stolen property, it can feel like your world is crashing down. Even if you believe you’re innocent, these charges can lead to hefty fines, jail time, and legal battles that upend your life.
As experienced Colorado criminal defense attorneys, we’ve seen many good people face receiving stolen property charges in El Paso County and throughout Colorado.
We know these cases can seem daunting, but with an experienced legal team on your side, there are defenses to expose flaws in the prosecution’s case.
By focusing on the specifics of Colorado law and leveraging our experience with local courts, we can mount a strong defense against the charges.
Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-4-404, a person commits the crime of receiving stolen property if he or she “obtains control over any stolen thing of value, knowing the thing of value to have been stolen by another … whether or not the principal is charged, tried, or convicted”. The prosecution must prove the defendant knew or had reasonable cause to believe the property was stolen.
Common examples we’ve seen in El Paso County include being accused of:
The prosecutor doesn’t need to prove you committed the actual theft – just that you ultimately received the stolen goods knowing they were hot.
Receiving stolen property charges can lead to felony or misdemeanor penalties depending on the value of the allegedly stolen items.
Here is an overview of the typical sentencing ranges established in Colorado law:
| Offense | Classification | Sentence |
| Petty Theft | Petty Offense | Up to 10 days in jail and/or $300 fine |
| Theft (value $300-$999) | Class 2 Misdemeanor | Up to 120 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $750 |
| Theft (value $1000-$1,999) | Class 1 Misdemeanor | Up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000 |
| Theft (value $2,000-$4,999) | Class 6 Felony | Up to 12 or 18 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000 |
| Theft (value $5,000-$19,999) | Class 5 Felony | 1 to 3 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000 |
| Theft (value $20,000 – $99,999) | Class 4 Felony | 2 to 6 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500,000 |
| Theft (value $100,000 – $999,999) | Class 3 Felony | 4 to 12 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $750,000 |
| Theft (value $1,000,000 +) | Class 2 Felony | 8 to 24 years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1 million |
As you can see, receiving even small amounts of stolen property can lead to jail time, while higher-value charges are punished as felonies with years in prison and steep fines.
Beyond incarceration and fines, those facing these charges also need to be aware of other potential consequences.
A conviction will also make it harder to get a job, rental housing, or professional licenses. You may not qualify for student financial aid for higher education. For non-citizens, detention and deportation are possible.
Being accused of receiving stolen property can make you feel helpless as you wonder how to protect yourself against life-changing criminal penalties. But with an experienced defense attorney on your side, you can take proactive steps to build a strong legal defense.
A knowledgeable lawyer will start by thoroughly examining the prosecution’s claims, searching for any weaknesses in their arguments and violations of your rights. We can issue subpoenas to access documents and question witnesses, uncovering facts and testimony that contradict the charges.
A key defense strategy will be establishing that you did not actually know the items were stolen. Your attorney can gather evidence and statements demonstrating you reasonably believed the property was obtained legitimately. This may include records showing you purchased the items from a valid source or received them as a gift.
If improper police procedures were used to collect evidence or obtain statements, your lawyer could also fight to get that information suppressed. Skillful negotiation may also secure a plea bargain resulting in reduced charges or a diversion program. And if the case does go to trial, your attorney will analyze every component that prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt, exposing any reasonable doubts.
With experienced legal guidance, you can take proactive steps to contest the charges.
Facing receiving stolen property charges can turn your life upside down in an instant. The penalties can be severe, and a conviction will follow you for years to come. But you still have options – you do not have to go through this alone. The dedicated attorneys at Right Law Group understand the complexities of Colorado criminal law and have successfully defended thousands of clients facing charges just like yours.
As relentless advocates with decades of combined courtroom experience, including former prosecutors, we have the skills to thoroughly examine the evidence, identify violations of your rights, negotiate with the D.A., and build an aggressive defense to give you a chance at a positive outcome.
With offices across Colorado and over 500 five-star reviews, Right Law Group has a proven track record of helping people move forward with their lives even after difficult allegations. Don’t leave your future up to chance – contact Right Law Group today for dedicated legal guidance from attorneys who will stand by your side and truly understand your case.
