Colorado criminal charge
Theft of medical records or medical information in Colorado
Theft of medical records or medical information is a criminal offense under Colorado law, defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-412. Its classification is not fixed: Colorado assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by C.R.S. § 18-4-412.
What is the penalty for theft of medical records or medical information in Colorado?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 364 days (no statutory minimum) (Theft of medical record or medical information - base offense — Applies to theft of a medical record or medical information generally, absent stealing or disclosure to an unauthorized person.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Fine | up to 1000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Theft of medical record or medical information - base offense — Applies to theft of a medical record or medical information generally, absent stealing or disclosure to an unauthorized person.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 |
| Jail / prison | 1 years to 3 years (Theft of medical record or medical information - stolen or disclosed to unauthorized person — Applies when the person steals or discloses the medical record or information to an unauthorized person.) | presumptive | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Fine | 1000 usd to 100000 usd (Theft of medical record or medical information - stolen or disclosed to unauthorized person — Applies when the person steals or discloses the medical record or information to an unauthorized person.) | discretionary | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
| Parole / supervision | 2 years to 2 years (Theft of medical record or medical information - stolen or disclosed to unauthorized person — Applies when the person steals or discloses the medical record or information to an unauthorized person.; mandatory parole) | mandatory | C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401 |
Applies to offenses on/after 2022-03-01 (SB21-271).
How is theft of medical records or medical information classified in Colorado?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theft of medical record or medical information - base offense | class 1 misdemeanor | Applies to theft of a medical record or medical information generally, absent stealing or disclosure to an unauthorized person. | 18-4-412(3) |
| Theft of medical record or medical information - stolen or disclosed to unauthorized person | class 5 felony | Applies when the person steals or discloses the medical record or information to an unauthorized person. | 18-4-412(3) |
Common questions about theft of medical records or medical information in Colorado
Is theft of medical records or medical information a felony or a misdemeanor in Colorado?
It depends on the circumstances: theft of medical records or medical information ranges from a class 1 misdemeanor to a class 5 felony in Colorado under C.R.S. § 18-4-412.
Theft of medical record or medical information - base offense: class 1 misdemeanor (C.R.S. § 18-4-412(3)) · Theft of medical record or medical information - stolen or disclosed to unauthorized person: class 5 felony (C.R.S. § 18-4-412(3))
What are the penalties for theft of medical records or medical information in Colorado?
Penalties for theft of medical records or medical information in Colorado depend on how it is classified — from a class 1 misdemeanor up to a class 5 felony — with the ranges set by C.R.S. § 18-1.3-501 and C.R.S. § 18-1.3-401; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Colorado statute covers theft of medical records or medical information?
Theft of medical records or medical information is governed by C.R.S. § 18-4-412 (Theft of medical records or medical information - penalty - definitions).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.