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Presumptive sentencing guidelines

Sentencing Guidelines

There are three "levels" for criminal charges in Colorado: Petty, Misdemeanor, & Felony. There are six classes of Felony, three classes of Misdemeanor, and two classes of Petty offenses. The lower the class, the more serious the offense.​

Commonly charged felonies and their offense levels (Not Inclusive):

•  Assault 2                               Class 4 Felony - extraordinary risk and violent crime

•  Menacing                              Class 5 Felony

•  Burglary 1                             Class 3 Felony (but sometimes class 2)

•  Burglary 2                             Class 4 Felony (but sometimes class 3)

•  Robbery                                Class 4 Felony

•  Agg. Robbery                        Class 3 Felony (sometimes crime of violence)

•  Theft                                      Class 3 or 4 Felony (depends on $ loss)

•  Drug Crimes Vary from F4 to F2- some are extraordinary risk

•  Sex Crimes Sentencing for these is very different. See Sexual Assault Cases

BELOW ARE THE COLORADO JUDICIAL SENTENCING PRESUMPTIVE RANGE GUIDELINES. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY.​

Petty Offense Guidelines

Class 1                                          6 months/ $500 dollar fine or both

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Class 2                                          Specified in section defining the offense

Misdemeanor Sentencing Guidelines

Minimum Sentence                                                  Maximum Sentence

Class 1                                          6 months / $500 dollar fine or both                          18 months / $5,000 dollar fine or both

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Class 1                                          6 months / $500 dollar fine or both                          24 months / $5,000 dollar fine or both

    (extraordinary risk)

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Class 2                                          3 months / $250 dollar fine or both                           1 year / $1,000 dollar fine or both

​

Class 3                                          $50 dollar fine                                                         6 months / $750 dollar fine or both

Extraordinary risk crimes include, but not limited to the following:

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  •   Child Abuse
  •   3rd Degree Assault
  •   3rd Degree Sex Assault prior to 7/1/2000
  •   Unlawful Sexual Cntact, on and after 7/1/2000
  •   2nd Degree Sexual Assault prior to 7/1/2000
  •   Sexual Assualt on or after 7/1/2000
  •   Violation of a Restraining Order - 2nd or subsequent offense
  •   Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

​

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Felony Setencing  Guidelines

PRESUMPTIVE RANGE                                                                EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Minimum                                        Maximum                                            Minimum        Maximum        Manditory

                                                                                                                                                        Parole

Class 1                          Life                                                 Death                                               Life               Death

​

Class 2                      8 years / $5,000 fine or both          24 years / $1,000,000 fine or both         4 years           48 years       5 years

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Class 3                      4 years / $3,000 fine or both          16 years / $750,000 fine or both            2 years           24 years       5 years

​

Class 3                      4 years / $3,000 fine or both          8 years / $750,000 fine or both             2 years           32 years       5 years

     (extraordinary risk)

​

Class 4                     2 years / $2,000 fine or both          6 years / $500,000 fine or both              1 years            12 years       3 years

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Class 4                     2 years / $2,000 fine or both          8 years / $500,000 fine or both              1 years            16 years       3 years

     (extraordinary risk)

​

Class 5                     1 year / $1,000 fine or both             3 years / $100,000 fine or both             6 months           6 years       2 years

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Class 5                     1 year / $1,000 fine or both             4 years / $100,000 fine or both             6 months           8 years       2 years  

     (extraordinary risk)

​

Class 6                     1 year / $1,000 fine or both          18 months / $100,000 fine or both            6 months           3 years       1 year

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Class 6                     1 year / $1,000 fine or both             2 years / $100,000 fine or both             6 months           4 years       1 year

     (extraordinary risk)


Important:

This chart does not cover every possible situation and is not presented as a substitute for legal advice from a qualified criminal defense attorney. It is not meant to cover every possible situation. It is designed to demonstrate jail time exposure under Colorado State sentencing guidelines current as of 2002

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