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    Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property

    By Colorado Theft Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer – H. Michael Steinberg

    Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property –  If you obtain control over a a stolen thing of value – even if you did not steal the item yourself – you can be convicted of the crime of Receiving Stolen Property. 

    Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property

    Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property

    § 18-4-404. Obtaining control over any stolen thing of value – conviction

    Every person who obtains control over any stolen thing of value, knowing the thing of value to have been stolen by another, may be tried, convicted, and punished whether or not the principal is charged, tried, or convicted.

    If you are charged under Colorado’s Theft By Receiving Law – now “re-packaged with 18-4-401 – a DA – prosecutor must prove three elements of the crime against you – and these elements must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    First – That the property in question was in fact – stolen,

    Second – That you actually “received” and possessed the stolen property,

    and

    Finally – That having possessed or received the stolen property- you KNEW that the property was actually stolen.

    While It May Seem Obvious – Never Overlook The Stolen Property Issue

    The DA must establish that the property is stolen. He or she must prove that it was stolen by proving it was stolen in a theft- a burglary – a robbery, or a form of embezzlement.

    This is not as easy as it may seem – if the person who committed any these crimes – making the item or items “stolen” is never caught – it becomes even harder.

    However – under this law – § 18-4-404 –  if you knowingly and subsequently receive that stolen property, even if at the time you received the property you did not KNOW it was stolen – later becoming aware of its stolen “quality” you cannot maintain control over it.  You must either contact the authorities within a reasonable period of time or contact the owner – if possible – to return the stolen property.

    Elements of Proof – The “Receiving” In Receiving Stolen Property

    Like all other possession related crimes ( such as drug possession cases) “receiving” property  seems to imply that only actual physical possession of the property is necessary to prove the crime. This is not true –  possession can also be “constructive possession.” If you have control or share possession of stolen property – but not actual possession of it – you will also come under the ambit of this law.

    This happens most often  -(as in drug possession cases) – when multiple individuals jointly possess – share – or have some form of joint control over stolen property. Possession of something stolen can be shared – need not be exclusive and possession can be “joint” possession.

    Elements of Proof – The “Knowledge” Requirement To Prove Receiving Stolen Property

    How can a DA climb into my mind and prove I knew something was stolen. The most obvious way is out of your own mouth. Do NOT answer what may see to be harmless questions. Self incrimination is probably the most common way of proving knowledge that something is stolen

    Next would be the “circumstances” surrounding the possession of the items – an eyewitness – a video – serial numbers and the like.

    Other kinds of “circumstantial” evidence of proof of  knowledge- evidence include:

    1. You were actively involved in concealing the stolen property.

    2. The price paid for the property was so low it was patently absurd.

    3. The transaction was “cash only” – no receipt was ever possible.

    4. All identifying information such as serial numbers were intentionally and obviously removed.

    The “rule” here is this – if a “reasonable” person would have asked questions about the transfer of the property – then the absence of such inquiries is probably evidence of knowledge that the property was stolen or “hot.”

    Certain professions and retailers are targeted in this area.

    Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property – Colorado Persons and BusinessesTargeted By This Law

    Law enforcement targets the following sellers:

        • Swap meet sellers or those engaged in the collecting merchandise or personal property.
        • Dealers – collectors of junk metals or other kinds of second hand materials.
        • Dealers – collectors of secondhand books or other literary materials.
        • Dealers or individuals in making multiple transactions as regards buying and selling cars, boats, trailers, or special construction equipment.
        • Dealers or individuals in the business of buying and selling personal property such as electronic equipment or appliances where the serial numbers or other identifying marks have been removed or altered.

    Colorado Has Another Law For Those In The “Business” Of Transactions In Stolen Property

    Here is the law:

    18-4-411. Transactions for profit in stolen goods.

    If any person commits theft by receiving as defined in section 18-4-410 (1) when OBTAINS CONTROL OVER STOLEN PROPERTY KNOWING OR BELIEVING THE PROPERTY TO HAVE BEEN STOLEN, and such offense involves two or more separate stolen things of value each of which is the property of a separate owner, such commission of theft by receiving constitutes prima facie evidence that the person is engaged in the business of buying, selling, or otherwise disposing of stolen goods for a profit.

    Are There Defenses To Colorado’s Receiving Stolen Property Law?

    Typical defenses used by Colorado criminal defense lawyers in these cases are:

    Mistake of fact / claim of right – You actually owned the property for a fair price – or you were fooled into believing it was your lawful property by a con-artist. You were the victim.

    Lack of knowledge – You did not know you possessed the stolen property

    Innocent intent – you intended to return the property and were arrested before that could happen

    Sentencing If You Are Convicted Under This Law

    The Penalties and Sentencing for A Conviction for Receiving Stolen Property ….. turn on the value of the items taken

    The crime is a:

    (b) A class 1 petty offense if the value of the thing involved is less than fifty dollars;

    (c) A class 3 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is fifty dollars or more but less than three hundred dollars;

    (d) A class 2 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is three hundred dollars or more but less than seven hundred fifty dollars;

    (e) A class 1 misdemeanor if the value of the thing involved is seven hundred fifty dollars or more but less than two thousand dollars;

    (f) A class 6 felony if the value of the thing involved is two thousand dollars or more but less than five thousand dollars;

    (g) A class 5 felony if the value of the thing involved is five thousand dollars or more but less than twenty thousand dollars;

    (h) A class 4 felony if the value of the thing involved is twenty thousand dollars or more but less than one hundred thousand dollars;

    (i) A class 3 felony if the value of the thing involved is one hundred thousand dollars or more but less than one million dollars;

    and

    (j) A class 2 felony if the value of the thing involved is one million dollars or more.

    Here is a Colorado Sentencing CHART to help you interpret the criminal levels referred to above:

    A Related Law – § 18-4-405. Rights in stolen property

    [HMS – This next law allows an innocent victim to claim a legal right to stolen property with a minimum of legal impediments and red tape.. The law is self explanatory:]

    All property obtained by theft, robbery, or burglary shall be restored to the owner, and no sale, whether in good faith on the part of the purchaser or not, shall divest the owner of his right to such property. The owner may maintain an action not only against the taker thereof but also against any person in whose possession he finds the property.

    In any such action, the owner may recover two hundred dollars or three times the amount of the actual damages sustained by him, whichever is greater, and may also recover costs of the action and reasonable attorney fees; but monetary damages and attorney fees shall not be recoverable from a good-faith purchaser or good-faith holder of the property.

    Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property

    Denver Colorado Theft Crimes Criminal Defense Lawyer

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR: H. Michael Steinberg – Email The Author: [email protected] – or call his office at 303-627-7777 during business hours – or call his cell if you cannot wait and need his immediate assistance – 720-227-7777.

    If you are charged with A Colorado crime or you have questions about Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property, 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 in Colorado Criminal Law along the Front Range.  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.  Remember, it costs NOTHING to discuss your case.  So call now for an immediate free phone consultation.

    Helping Clients To Make Informed Decisions In the Defense of Colorado Criminal Cases.

    Colorado Defense Lawyer H. Michael Steinberg provides solid criminal defense 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 … Obtaining Control Over Any Stolen Thing of Value 18-4-404 and Theft By Receiving Stolen Property. 


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    ___________________________
    H. Michael Steinberg Esq.
    Attorney and Counselor at Law
    The Colorado Criminal Defense Law Firm of H. Michael Steinberg
    A Denver, Colorado Lawyer Focused Exclusively On
    Colorado Criminal Law For Over 40 Years.
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