Mr. Merson is a highly qualified Colorado criminal defense attorney that is committed to providing you with high quality legal representation on your pending felony charges.
Colorado has a a very complex felony sentencing scheme. Different types of felonies may or may not require certain types of sentences like mandatory prison.
If you are accused of a felony offense in Colorado, you probably have many questions about what penalties can be imposed in your case.
Set up a free consultation today to get some answers.
Colorado categorizes felonies into six classes, each with specific sentencing guidelines:
| Class | Prison Sentence | Fines | Mandatory Parole |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Life in Prison | None. | None. |
| 2 | 8-24 years | $5,000-$1,000,000 | 3 years (5 years for crime of violence) |
| 3 | 4-12 years | $3,000-$750,000 | 3 years |
| 4 | 2-6 years | $2,000-$500,000 | 3 years |
| 5 | 1-3 years | $1,000-$100,000 | 2 years |
| 6 | 1 year – 18 months | $1,000-$100,000 | 1 year |
Extraordinary risk felonies, such as aggravated robbery or child abuse, carry enhanced sentences. For instance, a Class 3 extraordinary risk felony can result in a maximum sentence of 16 years, while a Class 4 extraordinary risk felony can lead to up to 8 years in prison.
Certain offenses are classified as “crimes of violence,” which include:
Convictions for crimes of violence impose mandatory minimum sentences:
| Felony Class | Mandatory Minimum Sentence |
| Class 2 | 16 years |
| Class 3 | 10 years |
| Class 4 | 5 years |
| Class 5 | 2.5 years |
| Class 6 | 1.5 years |
Additionally, if a dangerous or semiautomatic assault weapon was involved, five years are added to the sentence.
Under Colorado’s habitual offender statute, individuals convicted of a serious felony offense for the third time can be sentenced to life imprisonment.
This applies to:
Alternatively, a third conviction for any Class 1–5 felony or Level 1–3 drug felony within 10 years results in a sentence three times the maximum presumptive range for the current offense .
Individuals convicted of felony drug offenses may be designated as “special offenders” if certain aggravating factors exist, such as:
Special offenders face enhanced sentencing, with terms ranging from 8 to 48 years in prison.
Colorado law provides several alternatives to traditional prison sentences, including:
These alternatives aim to rehabilitate offenders and reduce recidivism.
If you have been accused of a crime in Colorado, you will want an experienced lawyer. Choosing an experienced lawyer is the best decision you can make early on in your case. Mr. Merson provides representation to people accused of felony charges in Boulder, Fort Collins, Longmont, Berthoud, Erie, Firestone, Frederick, Lyons, Mead, Niwot, Dacono, Weld County, or Adams County.
To schedule a free consultation, call The Merson Law Office at (970) 219-2923. Or fill out an intake form here.
970-219-2923