Colorado

Who can make a "citizen's arrest" in Colorado?Watch this video on YouTube C.R.S. § 16-3-201 is the Colorado statute that allows you to make a citizen’s arrest, but only if you actually witness the crime taking place. Making an unlawful citizen’s arrest could result in criminal charges for First-degree assault, Second-degree assault, False imprisonment, Kidnapping, …

What happens at a sentencing hearing in a Colorado criminal case?Watch this video on YouTube In Colorado, you are entitled to a sentencing hearing after getting convicted of a crime whether through a plea bargain or trial. At the hearing, the judge listens to testimony and evidence relevant to determining what kinds of criminal penalties to …

Are "Stun Guns" LEGAL in Colorado? – Top Defense Lawyer Explains When Stun Gun Possession Is a CrimeWatch this video on YouTube In Colorado, adults (18+) who are not convicted felons are generally allowed to possess, carry, buy or sell stun guns. However, you may use them only in lawful self-defense. You cannot use stun …

Violating a protective order in CO – Can the judge lock me up? [2022 UPDATES IN DESCRIPTION]Watch this video on YouTube Colorado Revised Statute § 18-6-803.5 C.R.S. makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly violate a protective order issued in connection with a domestic violence case. Penalties for a first-time violation include up to $1,000 in …

Certain sex crime convictions require you to register as a Colorado sex offender. Depending on your case, your information may be publicly searchable on Colorado’s Sex Offender Tracking and Registration System (“SOTAR”). You are required to re-register once a year and whenever you change addresses. Though if you are classified as a sexually violent predator …

Class 5 Felony Crimes in Colorado: Five things to know (examples & penalties)Watch this video on YouTube Class 5 felonies in Colorado generally carry one to three years in state prison (plus two years of parole) and/or fines of $1,000 to $100,000. In our experience, it is often possible to get a class 5 felony reduced …

"Mandatory Protection Orders" in Colorado — 5 Things to KnowWatch this video on YouTube Mandatory protection orders (MPOs) in Colorado are court orders that forbid a criminal defendant (“restrained person”) from harassing the alleged victims and witnesses (“protected parties”). Some MPOs prohibit you from contacting these people at all. Mandatory protection orders are even more …

School truancy in Colorado — Can it be a crime?Watch this video on YouTube C.R.S. § 22-33-104 is the Colorado truancy statute that requires children to attend school. Juvenile courts can order a child to attend school and order parents to get their children to school. Truancy is a “status offense”rather than a “crime” because …

Playlist: Home DetentionWatch this playlist on YouTube In Colorado, house arrest is an alternative sentencing option to a jail sentence or prison term. In many cases, you have to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet as a condition. The primary benefit of house arrest (also called “home detention”) is that you can serve your sentence …

What is an "Accessory to a Crime" in Colorado?Watch this video on YouTube Under Colorado Revised Statute § 18-8-105 C.R.S., you are an accessory to a crime if you knowingly protect a criminal from getting caught, arrested, convicted, or sentenced. This is also called being an accessory after the fact. The four elements of the …

"Contempt of court" — Is it a crime in Colorado?Watch this video on YouTube Colorado judges place you in contempt of court if you violate a court order or willfully disrupt the court’s ability to carry out its functions. Judges have broad discretion to impose penalties, including fines and up to six months of jail time. Colorado …

Colorado Revised Statute § 18-8-404 C.R.S. makes it a class 1 misdemeanor to commit first degree official misconduct. This is when a public servant knowingly abuses their power, or breaks a law or regulation, to either: obtain a personal benefit or maliciously harm someone else. The punishment for official misconduct in the first degree is …

Prohibited Use of a Weapon in Colorado — "Who Can Be Arrested for this Crime?"Watch this video on YouTube Colorado Revised Statute § 18-12-106 C.R.S. makes it a crime to commit certain unlawful acts with weapons. Specifically, the statute prohibits: Aiming a gun at a person, or Possessing a gun while intoxicated, or Shooting a …

Are wiretapping and eavesdropping illegal in Colorado? [2022 UPDATES IN DESCRIPTION]Watch this video on YouTube Colorado Revised Statute § 18-9-303 C.R.S. prohibits wiretapping a phone without the consent of at least one party to the conversation. Similarly, Colorado Revised Statute § 18-9-304 C.R.S. makes it a crime to listen to or record a private in-person conversation – …

Arrested for tampering with physical evidence in Colorado? 3 defensesWatch this video on YouTube Colorado Revised Statute § 18-8-610 C.R.S. makes it a crime to tamper with physical evidence. This means to alter, destroy, conceal, or falsify physical evidence so as to prevent it from being available at an upcoming official proceeding, such as a …

Arrested For 4th-Degree Arson in Colorado? 3 DefensesWatch this video on YouTube Colorado Revised Statute § 18-4-105 C.R.S. prohibits fourth-degree arson. This crime comprises knowingly or recklessly starting a fire that either: places any person in danger of death or serious bodily injury or endangers the building or occupied structure of another person or entity. …

 Colorado Revised Statute § 18-8-112 C.R.S. makes it a crime to impersonate a peace officer by falsely pretending to be a police officer and performing an act while pretending that role. As a class 5 felony, impersonation of a peace officer carries one to three years in prison (plus two years of parole) and/or a …

Colorado Revised Statute § 18-7-108 C.R.S. makes it a crime for adults to electronically disclose an intimate image of another adult without their consent for the purpose of financial gain. It does not matter if the intimate image is real or fake/AI-generated or whether the image is privately DM-ed or posted publicly on social media. …

Colorado Revised Statute § 18-7-102 C.R.S. prohibits promotion of obscenity to a minor, which is knowingly: Promoting – or possessing with intent to promote – any obscene material to a child under 18 years old; or Producing, presenting, directing, or participating in an obscene performance involving a child under 18 years old. Promotion of obscenity …

Is gambling illegal in Colorado? 3 things to know [2022 UPDATES IN DESCRIPTION]Watch this video on YouTube Colorado Revised Statute § 18-10-103 C.R.S. prohibits unauthorized gambling. The only exceptions are for: The Colorado Lottery, Licensed sportsbooks, Limited gaming in Colorado casinos (Black Hawk, Cripple Creek, and Central City), Horse racing events through the Colorado Division …

Colorado knife laws — What are you allowed to carry? [2022 UPDATES IN DESCRIPTION]Watch this video on YouTube Colorado knife laws divides knives into three categories: Knives you can never carry:  “Illegal knives,” which include ballistic knives and blackjacks. Knives you can openly carry:  “Legal knives,” which are any knives that are not ballistic knives …

License suspensions for a DUI and DWAI here in ColoradoWatch this video on YouTube In Colorado, a first DUI triggers a nine-month driver’s license suspension. For a second DUI offense, the suspension period is one year. For a third or subsequent DUI, the suspension period is two years.1 Note that a first-time DWAI – which …

What are field sobriety tests in Colorado DUI cases?Watch this video on YouTube In Colorado, standardized field sobriety tests (SFSTs) are a tool that police use during a DUI traffic stop to determine whether you are under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The exercises are optional, meaning you can refuse to take them without …