Legal Question in Criminal Law in Colorado

Identity theft

My grandmother co-signed on 2 student loans for me in the amount of 60,000 dollars. She had to physically cash the checks at the bank and recieved 25,000 dollars of the loans to clear her debt. She has now pressed charges against me saying that she had no idea that I took the loans out and that I forged her name. I was arrested and am not charged with 2 counts of identity theft. I have no defense for myself other than her signatures on the papers which she is saying that I forged. I am wondering what kind of punishment I am looking at if I am found guilty. I have no record and am really hoping that I will be found innocent but if not I am trying to prepare myself for the worst. She is an old woman who will have everyone convinced that she was taken advantage of. I am really scared to do jail time and I have been told that because I am a first time offender I would not get jail time. Please help me with any advice you may have but mostly I need to hear the truth about what my future would look like if I am convicted of these ridiculous charges. I love my grandma and would never do anything to hurt her. I AM INNOCENT and am not the kind of person who would last in jail.


Asked on 8/14/08, 7:24 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jason Savela The Savela Law Firm, PC

Re: Identity theft

ID theft is a class 4 felony that does not mandate prison, but can get you up to 12 years if aggravation is found. Normal theft usually gets probation, but some ID theft cases get prison or a prison halfway house.

That said, proving that she is wrong or mistaken would be your best bet. The public defender can do well on these case, but a true private defense will cost 10k or more.

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Answered on 8/15/08, 5:14 pm


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