Theft is taking something from someone else, with the intention of never giving it back. When it deals with a retail store, we normally refer to it as Shoplifting Theft. A woman was recently charged with this crime after stealing dozens of video games from Target. The woman had two children with her, ages 10 and 6, who were the lookouts – assigned with alerting the woman if someone was coming. Because the woman used the children to help her commit the crime, along with Theft she is facing the felony Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor charge.

Douglas County Theft Attorney: What is the Definition of Shoplifting Theft?

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of (Shoplifting) Theft as it relates to the case above– C.R.S. 18-4-401(1)(a) – is:

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(1) 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, and:

(a) Intends to deprive the other person permanently of the use or benefit of the thing of value;”

You wouldn’t even need to take the item out of the store to get charged with this crime. Concealing the items with the intent to get them out of the store can also be charged as Theft. Shoplifting Theft can be a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the items taken. It is likely that the woman would be facing a misdemeanor Theft charge, as the video games probably didn’t equal more than $2,000. Items valued over $2,000 would result in a felony charge.

Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor in Highlands Ranch and Parker

The Colorado law definition of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor – C.R.S. 18-6-701 – is:

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Any person who induces, aids, or encourages a child to violate any federal or state law, municipal or county ordinance, or court order commits contributing to the delinquency of a minor.”

As a class 4 felony in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor is punishable by 2 to 6 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $500,000 in fines.

If you or someone you love has been charged with Contributing to the Delinquency or Theft, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950. Together, we can protect your future.

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