Legal Question in Criminal Law in Colorado

Petty Theft

I am being charged for stealing my old roommate/friends i.d. I acquired it after she moved outof my apartment in May 08. I moved out of that apt in end of June 08, and I found her i.d. in her bedroom. I had no way to return it to her because she had moved out because she was returning to a camp to be a camp counselor for 6 weeks. I had no way to get a hold of her because she did not have any cell reception, BUT I also had gotten a new cell phone cause my last one broke & I no longer had her number. On July 4rth, 08 I was up in the mountains with a friend who had tried convincing me to use her i.d. to buy alcohol. I really did not want to use it, but after pressuring me into doing it I fell into it & did it anyway. Later I felt so bad I threw away the i.d...The friend who convinced me to do use it was not a healthy person for me & I told her I didn't want to be friends any longer. & to get back at me for rejecting her, she told the girl that I stole her i.d. & that she witnessed me using it.Now I have false charges against me saying I stole it. When I go to court I do not want to plead guilty for something I didn't steal. What should I say to the judge? Should I plead guilty? Is it worth my time to plead not guilty and fight it?


Asked on 9/04/08, 1:21 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Philip Rosmarin Rosmarin Law Firm

Re: Petty Theft

If the facts are as you say, the truth is you did steal. That doesn't mean you should appear in court and say you stole. Depending on whether you have a previous criminal history, the prosecutor may offer you a plea that does not involve theft. The prosecutor also may not have enough evidence against you to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you stole, and the case may be dismissed for lack of that evidence, or fail to convince a jury.

Whether you should fight the charge is between you, your wallet, and your conscience. But you shouldn't condemn yourself for an act of stupidity. Who in the world has never done something stupid? You already sound regretful of your actions, and there is no good reason you should feel compelled to let the justice system pile on to your troubles.

Good luck.

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Answered on 9/07/08, 5:14 pm


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