Escape is charged in Castle Rock and Douglas County when a person who is in custody of the Colorado Department of Corrections (prison) or confined in the Douglas County Jail flees said custody unlawfully. While it doesn’t happen very often, a man is being sought by law enforcement after escaping the Skyline Correctional Facility in Fremont County. According to the news, no details about how the inmate escaped the prison has been released, but he left the facility wearing the dark green inmate uniform. He is serving an 18-month sentence, meaning he was likely convicted of a class 5 or class 6 felony. Usually, we see Escape cases stemming from a person not returning to the community corrections facility they are assigned to. Because the community corrections program is still part of the DOC system, only with more freedom in movement and opportunities to be in the community, it’s still considered Escape to not report back to the facility as required.

Douglas County Escape Lawyer: Definition of Escape from Prison

The Douglas County, Colorado law definition of Escapes – C.R.S. 18-8-208 – as it relates to escaping after a conviction is:

• A person commits a class 2 felony if, while being in custody or confinement following conviction of a class 1 or class 2 felony, he knowingly escapes from said custody or confinement.
• A person commits a class 3 felony if, while being in custody or confinement following conviction of a felony other than a class 1 or class 2 felony, he knowingly escapes from said custody or confinement.
• A person commits a class 3 misdemeanor if, while being in custody or confinement following conviction of a misdemeanor or petty offense or a violation of a municipal ordinance, he or she knowingly escapes from said place of custody or confinement.

The penalties and charges are different for Escape when the escape occurs pre-conviction, or while a person is being held prior to their trial.

Sentence for Escape in Highlands Ranch and Parker

In Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, and Parker, a class 3 felony Escape is punishable by 4 to 12 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $750,000 in fines. This means the man, who had a mandatory release date of July of 2018 could now extend his sentence for at least 4 more years because of the Escape.

If you or a loved one has been charged with Escape, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 303-265-1950 to schedule your free consultation or set up a jail visit. Together, we can protect your future.

Image Source: Pixabay- Engin_Akyurt