Sentencing in cases in Douglas County, and throughout Colorado, can be tricky to predict. It is also difficult to anticipate what a judge might do at a sentencing hearing. Opposite ends of the spectrum frequently exist. A judge might try to make an example and give an extraordinarily long sentence. In contrast, he or she might rule in a lenient way that raises eyebrows throughout the courtroom. Either way, understanding what a judge considers in determining a sentence is important for those impacted by the ruling.
What Does a Judge Look For at Sentencing in Colorado?
Typically, judges in Colorado will contemplate several different factors before giving a sentence. Most of the time, the following items are considered:
- How defendants with similar circumstances have been sentenced
- Prior criminal history of the defendant
- What the victim(s) believe an appropriate sentence might be
- What the District Attorney feels the sentence should be
- Probation’s view of what the sentence should be
- Presence of violence in the crime
- Whether the defendant is remorseful
- Whether the crime was sexual in nature
- The ability of the victim(s) to defend themselves due to disability or age
Potential Consequences From a Colorado Judge
For felony and misdemeanor convictions in Douglas County, judges have several different tools to apply to criminal sentencing. The following outlines some of the possibilities:
- Probation
- County Jail
- Department of Corrections (Prison)
- Community Corrections
- House Arrest
- SCRAM Unit, Monitored Sobriety, and also Therapy for DUI or Alcohol Cases
- Community Service
- Sex Offender Treatment in addition to Registration for Sex Crimes
- Treatment & Therapy for Drug Crimes
- Mental Health Counseling
Colorado law allows judges to operate within broad ranges of sentencing. Consequently, as long as the conditions are “reasonably related” to a defendant’s rehabilitation, judges can do as they see fit.
Jail and Prison Sentences in Colorado
While there can be some exceptions, sentence ranges are mostly tied to the class of felony or misdemeanor conviction. As a result, the following sentence ranges apply in Colorado:
- Class 3 Misdemeanor = $50 to 6 months in county jail
- Class 2 Misdemeanor = 3 – 12 months in county jail
- Class 1 Misdemeanor = 6 – 18 months in county jail
- Class 6 Felony = 1 – 18 months in prison
- Class 5 Felony = 1 – 3 years in prison
- Class 4 Felony = 2 – 6 years in prison
- Class 3 Felony = 4 – 12 years in prison
- Class 2 Felony = 8 – 24 years in prison
- Class 1 Felony = Life to Death in prison
Finally, sentencing in Colorado includes many intricacies that shouldn’t be faced alone. Therefore, contacting one of our expert criminal defense attorneys is your best defense in trying to limit the potential jail or prison sentence in your case. We have decades of combined experience fighting for the best possible outcome for all of our clients, however difficult their situation might be.
If you or someone you know is facing charges, don’t wait. Call the top-rated defense attorneys at Sawyer Legal Group at 303-265-1950. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo Credit: Pixabay – qimono
