In Colorado, misdemeanors are crimes punishable by up to 18 months in jail, a maximum of $5,000 fine, or misdemeanor probation. Misdemeanor crimes generally have lower consequences than felonies, but that doesn’t not mean they are not serious allegations. If you have...
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What Does It Mean To Be Charged With Second-Degree Assault?
Second Degree Assault, codified in Colorado as CRS 18-3-203, is a highly complex and detailed statute. It encompasses offenses ranging from causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon to subjecting a law enforcement officer to saliva. If you have been charged with...
Driving While High: Understanding Colorado’s DUID Laws
Typically, when we think of a DUI or DWAI, we think of drunk driving. However, DUI and DWAI are not just limited to being impaired by alcohol. In 2015, following the passage of legalized use and possession of recreational marijuana, DUI laws were expanded to encompass...
Understanding Colorado’s DUI Track System
Level II education and treatment programs are a set of guidelines detailing what length and type of education and treatment you must complete following an alcohol or drug traffic violation. The difference between Level I and Level II is that Level I education is for...
Colorado Continues To Lead The Way For Restorative Justice
In Denver, there is a growing alternative to the criminal justice system known as restorative justice. Introduced into state law in 2007, restorative justice offers victims greater say in the judicial process while also lessening some of the other consequences that...
Criminal Justice Reform: Activists Demand Info on Dirty Cops
Across the country cries for criminal justice reform regarding police officers can be heard. From Boston to Philadelphia, citizens are looking to change the way that “problem officer” can be found. Under the current Brady Law, prosecutors are required to share...
Denver City Council Sends Private Prison Companies Packing
In a surprise turn of events during a Denver City Council vote August 5th, seven members of the city council voted not to renew contracts with two private prison companies. Before the vote took place, only Councilwoman Candi Cdebaca was expected to oppose the renewal,...
FAQ: What Is A Protection Order?
A protection order is a legal tool used to prevent one individual from contacting or approaching another. Often thought of in the context of criminal law, protection orders are actually civil actions filed by a petitioner against a respondent. They are designed to...
Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Convictions and Gun Possession
In 2016, the Supreme Court ruled 6-2 that the federal gun ban for people convicted of domestic violence extends to people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence (Voisine v. United States). This extension of the gun ban cleared up confusion about whether or not...
Colorado Gets With The Times On Record Sealing
Effective August 2nd, Colorado will vastly increase the ability for you to get your record sealed. Here’s what you need to know: The bill requires the court to seal records when the case is completely dismissed not resulting from a plea bargain, the defendant is...
Understanding Felony Sentencing
The State of Colorado defines a felony as a crime punishable by a year or more in prison and/or a large fine. Crimes that are considered to be felonies are the most major offenses, greater than misdemeanors and petty offenses. In Colorado, felony crimes are broken...
Colorado Takes Big Steps Away From “The Incarceration State”
The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, at 655 people per 100,000 of the national population. Although the U.S. makes up only 4.3% of the world population, it houses about 19% of the world’s prisoners. (Walmsley, Roy. “World Prison...
Colorado Making Good On Criminal Justice Reform Promises
On May 28th, 2019, Governor Jared Polis signed into law 7 bills expanding the rights of those convicted in Colorado. Two of the laws are set to have a huge impact on the criminal justice system. HB19-1266, the Restore Voting Rights Parolees bill, restores voting...
DUI Penalties
What is a DUI? Colorado has a tiered DUI/DWAI penalty system that is stricter than many other states in the US. Penalties for a first offense begin at a relatively high level and then increase from there. Because of the higher stakes and penalties, it is important to...
Frequently Asked Question: What Is a Domestic Violence Enhancer?
In Colorado, domestic violence is not a separate charge, but rather something that can enhance sentencing. This is known as a "domestic violence enhancer." In other words, you are unable to be convicted of domestic violence without being convicted of some other crime....