What Are the Penalties for a Felony Conviction in Denver?

Felonies are the most serious type of criminal charges that a person can face in Colorado, and it is possible to face felony charges for a wide range of offenses. You can face felony DUI charges, felony drug charges, felony theft charges, and felony charges for various kinds of violent crimes. Under Colorado law, felonies are classified from Class 6 felonies (the least serious felony offense, but much more serious than any type of misdemeanor offense) up through a Class 1 felony (the most serious).

For certain types of felony offenses, Colorado law considers the offenses to be “crimes of violence” or “extraordinary risk of harm” felonies, which can come with lengthier prison sentences. In addition, Colorado has a specific felony chart for drug felonies, which range from Level 4 drug felonies (the least serious drug felony offense) up through a Level 1 drug felony (the most serious). Our Denver felony defense attorneys can provide you with more information about the penalties for felony offenses.

General Felony Sentencing

Felonies in general can result in the following penalties:

• Class 1: up to life imprisonment;
• Class 2: from 8-24 years in prison, fines of $5,000-$1 million, and 3 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 3: from 4-12 years in prison, fines of $3,000-$750,000, and 3 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 4: from 2-6 years in prison, fines of $2,000-$500,000, and 3 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 5: from 1-3 years in prison, fines of $1,000-$100,000, and 2 mandatory years of parole; and
• Class 6: from 1 year to 18 months in prison, fines of $1,000-$100,000, and 1 mandatory year of parole.

Felony Sentencing for “Crimes of Violence” and “Extraordinary Risk of Harm” Offenses

For crimes of violence or extraordinary risk of harm offenses, the felony charge is still listed as a numbered felony class but with enhanced potential penalties:

• Class 2 crime of violence: from 16-48 years in prison, fines of $5,000-$1 million, and 5 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 3 crime of violence: from 10-32 years in prison, fines of $3,000-$750,000, and 5 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 3 extraordinary risk of harm: from 4-16 years in prison, fines of $3,000-$750,000, and 5 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 4 crime of violence: from 5-16 years in prison, fines of $2,000-$500,000, and 3 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 4 extraordinary risk of harm: from 2-8 years in prison, fines of $2,000-$500,000, and 3 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 5 crime of violence: from 30 months to 8 years in prison, fines of $1,000-$100,000, and 3 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 5 extraordinary risk of harm: from 1-4 years in prison, fines of $1,000-$100,000, and 2 mandatory years of parole;
• Class 6 crime of violence: from 18 months to 4 years in prison, fines of $1,000-$100,000, and 1 mandatory year of parole; and
• Class 6 extraordinary risk of harm: from 1-2 years in prison, fines of $1,000-$100,000, and 1 mandatory year of parole.

Contact a Denver Felony Defense Attorney for Assistance with Your Case 

Are you facing any kind of felony charges in the Denver area? Whether you are facing felony drug charges, felony DUI charges, or another type of felony charge in Colorado, it is critical to have a defense attorney on your side. One of the experienced Denver felony defense lawyers at DeChant Law can speak with you today to learn more about the details of your case and to begin working on a tailored defense strategy.

Sources:

codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-1-3-401/

cdhs.colorado.gov/sites/cdhs/files/2021-05/felony_sentencing_guidelines.pdf