Criminal Penalties In Colorado
In Colorado there are three categories of criminal charges: petty offenses, misdemeanor offenses, and felony offenses.
Petty Offenses in Colorado – Laws & Penalties
Petty offenses are the least serious of criminal charges, but still carry the potential for jail time and a mark on your criminal record.
Class 1 Petty offenses carry a potential sentence of 6 months in jail and fines up to $500.
Class 2 Petty offenses are sentenced according to the charge.
This means that if you are charged with a Class 2 petty offense, the law concerning that particular offense will dictate your sentence. Maximum punishments are typically less than that of class 1 petty offenses.
Colorado Misdemeanor Offenses
Slightly more serious than petty offenses, misdemeanors bring longer jail terms and heftier fines.
Misdemeanor Classifications
Class 1 Misdemeanor
Class 2 Misdemeanor
Class 3 Misdemeanor
Penalties – Fines $500 – $5,000
$250 – $1,000
$50 – $750
6 – 24 months
3 months – 1 year
Up to 6 months
Colorado Felony Offenses
Felonies are the most serious of criminal offenses. Under Colorado law, felonies carry serious prison terms and fines.
Felony Classifications
Class 1 Felony
Class 2 Felony
Class 3 Felony
Class 4 Felony
Class 5 Felony
Class 6 Felony
Penalties – Fines
Up to $1 million
$5,000 – $1 million
$3,000 – $750,000
$2,000 – $500,000
$1,000 – $100,000
$1,000 – $100,000
Penalties – Jail
Life Sentence – Death Penalty
8 – 24 years
4 – 16 years
2 – 8 years
1 – 4 years
1 – 2 years
Aside from what the statutes recommend the judge will also take your criminal history and other factors about you into consideration. That information is compiled in a pre-sentence report.