Legal Question in Criminal Law in Colorado

Guilty by association?

What can I be convicted of if I was arrested for being in a stolen vehicle. A friend of mine stole a car and I didn't know this car was stolen and I asked him for a ride home and we got pulled over and arrested.


Asked on 9/02/08, 5:48 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Marc Milavitz The Alternative Law Office of Marc Milavitz

Re: Guilty by association?

No, not without your actual knowledge that the car was stolen. Good Luck.

Read more
Answered on 9/03/08, 2:40 pm
Jason Savela The Savela Law Firm, PC

Re: Guilty by association?

Well, you can be arrested for anything, but whether the DA can prove it is another thing.

Under these facts, you are not guilty of anything. But, if the ignition was punched, or there were other signs of the car being stolen, then you get closer to being found guilty at trial.

To be guilty of auto theft, you must know the car is stolen. If they prove that you were present when the car was stolen or that you were told the car was stolen or that the ignition was punched, then you are closer to guilty. If the driver was a 14 year old friend of yours from a poor neighborhood and he is driving an expensive car, well . . . .

But, in your story, you are innocent.

Get an attorney and tell no one anything about the facts of the case except your attorney.

Read more
Answered on 9/02/08, 5:59 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Colorado