Like all other states in USA,
Colorado divided various crimes into misdemeanors and felonies. The felonies are
considered more serious and are punishable by the prison terms of the state for
a period of one year or even more. The misdemeanors are lesser crimes that are
punishable by the local or county jail terms for a period of up to eighteen
months.
Felony cases in Colorado can be
designated under the classes between 1 and 6. Some felony cases remain
unclassified in Colorado. In such cases, the sentence is decided according to
the criminal statute. In cases where no penalty is fixed, the felony can be
punishable by up to 5 years in prison as well as a monetary fine that can go up
to $100000.
The Colorado criminal code penalties have significantly changed over time. For this reason, if you or
someone you know faces a criminal change, then he or she is advised to get in
touch with a criminal defense attorney in Denver Colorado who is well versed
with the latest models of criminal laws. The following criminal sentences
discussed below are applicable to crimes that have been committed after July
1st, 1993.
Class 1 Felonies
The most serious or heinous
crimes committed in the Colorado fall under the scope of Class 1 felonies, and
are punishable by a life imprisonment sentence or death penalty. A first degree
murder is a common example of class 1 felony. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-401.)
Class 2 Felonies
According to Colorado laws, the
Class 2 felonies are punishable by 8 to 24 years prison sentence as well as a
fine of $5000 to $1000000. A common example of class 2 felony is a 2nd
conviction for selling different types of Schedule I or II drugs. (Colo. Rev.
Stat. § 18-1.3-401.)
Class 3 Felonies
If a person is convicted of class
3 felony, he or she might face a prison sentence of 4 to 12 years as well as a
monetary fine of $3000 to $750000. Patronizing prostituted children is
considered a class 3 felony act. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-401.)
Class 4 Felonies
Class 4 felonies can be
punishable by up to 2 to 6 years of imprisonment as well as a monetary fine of
$2000 to $500000. Sexual assault cases generally fall under the scope of class
4 felony. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-401.)
Class 5 Felonies
For all class 5 felony
convictions, Colorado laws impose a prison sentence of up to 1 to 3 years as
well as a monetary fine of up to $1000 to $100000. Theft of property is a
common example of class 5 felony. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-401.)
Class 6 Felonies
Class 6 felony acts are least
serious felonies, according to Colorado law, and can be punishable by 1 year to
18 months in the prison and a monetary fine of $1000 to $100000. Possessing of
up to 2 grams of methamphetamine can be treated as an instance of class 6
felony. (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-1.3-401.). View in detail Colorado criminal sentencing guidelines.