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    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 – First and Second Degree

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 – If you have been charged with a Colorado Theft Based Crime you will need to know at least three things about that charge to make intelligent decisions about how to proceed.

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 - First and Second Degree

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 – First and Second Degree

    First, what are “the basic elements” of the crime filed against you? What is required to prove this crimes or these crimes in a Colorado Court of Criminal Law beyond a reasonable doubt?

    These elements are laid out logically in the Colorado Criminal Jury Instruction for this crime: Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft Has Two “Degrees” First Degree and Second Degree

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 – Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft In The First Degree

    The elements of the crime of aggravated motor vehicle theft in the first degree are:

    1. That the defendant,

    2. in the State of Colorado, at or about the date and place charged,

    3. knowingly,

    4. obtained or exercised control over a motor vehicle,

    5. belonging to another person,

    6. [without authorization] [by threat or deception],

    and

    7. [the value of the motor vehicle involved was [twenty thousand dollars or less] , and] -or- [the value of the motor vehicle involved was [fifteen thousand dollars or less] ,

    and…(one of the following fact patterns)

    8. the defendant [retained possession or control of the motor vehicle for more than twenty-four hours] [attempted to alter or disguise, or did alter or disguise the appearance of the motor vehicle] [attempted to alter or remove, or did alter or remove the vehicle identification number] [used the motor vehicle in the commission of another crime other than a traffic offense],

    [caused five hundred dollars or more property damage, including but not limited to property damage to the motor vehicle involved, in the course of obtaining control over or in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle] [caused bodily injury to another person while in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle] [removed the motor vehicle from the state of Colorado for a period of time in excess of twelve hours] [unlawfully attached or otherwise displayed in or upon the motor vehicle license plates other than those officially issued for the motor vehicle].

    9. [without the affirmative defense in instruction number __________.]

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft In The Second Degree

    The elements of the crime of aggravated motor vehicle theft in the second degree are:

    1. That the defendant,

    2. in the State of Colorado, at or about the date and place charged,

    3. knowingly,

    4. obtained or exercised control over a motor vehicle,

    5. belonging to another person,

    6. [without authorization] [by threat or deception],

    and

    7. [the value of the motor vehicle was [less than one thousand dollars] [one thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars] [twenty thousand dollars or more].] -or- [the value of the motor vehicle was [less than five hundred dollars] [five hundred dollars or more but less than fifteen thousand dollars] [fifteen thousand dollars or more].]

    8. [without the affirmative defense in instruction number __________.]

    Second, you need to know what “level” the crime is.  Is it a felony or a misdemeanor?  Is it a petty offense – or a Municipal Code (City) violation? This tells you the possible penalties or punishment for this crime under Colorado law.

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft in Colorado is tied directly to the value of the vehicle involved:

    First Degree:

    F3, if 2 prior convictions or value greater than $15,000
    F4, if value is equal to or less than $15,000
    F4, if value is equal to or less than $20,000
    F3, if 2 prior convictions or value greater than $20,000

    Second Degree:

    F5, if value equal or more than $20,000
    F6, if value is $1,000 to $20,000
    M1, if value is less than $1,000

    LINK To the Charts For Colorado Felony Penalties

    LINK to Colorado Misdemeanor and Petty Offenses

    Third, you need access to be able to read the entire law – the statute itself to study exactly how it is drafted.

    Here is an  EXACT REPRINT of the law in question with commentary where needed [HMS …..]:　

    Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 – First and Second Degree

    (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

    (a) “Motor vehicle” means all vehicles of whatever description propelled by any power other than muscular, except vehicles running on rails.

    (b) “Vehicle identification number” means the serial number placed upon the motor vehicle by the manufacturer thereof or assigned to the motor vehicle by the department of revenue.

    (2) A person commits aggravated motor vehicle theft in the first degree if he or she knowingly obtains or exercises control over the motor vehicle of another without authorization or by threat or deception and:

    (a) Retains possession or control of the motor vehicle for more than twenty-four hours; or

    (b) Attempts to alter or disguise or alters or disguises the appearance of the motor vehicle; or

    (c) Attempts to alter or remove or alters or removes the vehicle identification number; or

    (d) Uses the motor vehicle in the commission of a crime other than a traffic offense; or

    (e) Causes five hundred dollars or more property damage, including but not limited to property damage to the motor vehicle involved, in the course of obtaining control over or in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle; or

    (f) Causes bodily injury to another person while he or she is in the exercise of control of the motor vehicle; or

    (g) Removes the motor vehicle from this state for a period of time in excess of twelve hours; or

    (h) Unlawfully attaches or otherwise displays in or upon the motor vehicle license plates other than those officially issued for the motor vehicle.

    (3) Aggravated motor vehicle theft in the first degree is a:

    (a) Class 4 felony if the value of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles involved is twenty thousand dollars or less;

    (b) Class 3 felony if the value of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles involved is more than twenty thousand dollars or if the defendant has twice previously been convicted or adjudicated of charges separately brought and tried either in this state or elsewhere of an offense involving theft of a motor vehicle under the laws of this state, any other state, the United States, or any territory subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

    (4) A person commits aggravated motor vehicle theft in the second degree if he or she knowingly obtains or exercises control over the motor vehicle of another without authorization or by threat or deception and if none of the aggravating factors in subsection (2) of this section are present.

    Aggravated motor vehicle theft in the second degree is a:

    (a) Class 5 felony if the value of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles involved is twenty thousand dollars or more;

    (b) Class 6 felony if the value of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles involved is one thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars;

    (c) Class 1 misdemeanor if the value of the motor vehicle or motor vehicles involved is less than one thousand dollars.

    (4.5) Whenever a person is convicted of, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, receives a deferred judgment or sentence for, or is adjudicated a juvenile delinquent for, a violation of this section, the offender’s driver’s license shall be revoked as provided in section 42-2-125, C.R.S.

    (5) Consistent with section 18-1-202, if the theft of a motor vehicle occurs in one jurisdiction and the motor vehicle is recovered in another jurisdiction, the offender may be tried in the jurisdiction where the theft occurred, in any jurisdiction through which the motor vehicle was operated or transported, or in the jurisdiction in which the motor vehicle was recovered. 

    Please Contact Us If You Have Any Questions About…Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409

    Reading the law – especially Colorado Criminal Law – may lead to even more questions about the meaning of certain terms and how they relate to your specific case. I you would like to speak with H. Michael Steinberg about your legal criminal defense needs, please call him in Denver,  Colorado at his business number 303-627-7777 or his cell 720-220-2277 or email us at … [email protected]

    Written by H. Michael Steinberg

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR : H. Michael Steinberg

    If you are charged with Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409, please call our office. The Law Offices of H. Michael Steinberg, in Denver, Colorado, provide criminal defense clients with effective, efficient, intelligent and strong legal advocacy. We can educate you and help you navigate the stressful and complex legal process related to your criminal defense issue.

    H. Michael Steinberg, is a Denver, Colorado criminal defense lawyer with over 40 years of day to day courtroom experience –  specializing only in Colorado Criminal Law along the Front Range of Colorado . He will provide you with a free initial case consultation to evaluate your legal issues and to answer your questions with an honest assessment of your options.

    Helping Clients To Make Informed Decisions In the Defense of Colorado Criminal Cases. Colorado Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg provides solid criminal defenses for clients throughout the Front Range of Colorado – including the City and County courts of Adams County, Arapahoe County, City and County of Boulder, City and County of Broomfield, City and County of Denver, Douglas County, El Paso County – Colorado Springs, Gilpin County, Jefferson County, Larimer County, and Weld County,…. and all the other cities and counties of Colorado along the I-25 Corridor… on cases involving ..Aggravated Motor Vehicle Theft 18-4-409 – First and Second Degree.


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    H. Michael Steinberg Esq.
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    The Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm of H. Michael Steinberg
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