Taggart Howard has handled criminal cases involving every type of misdemeanor you could imagine. Below, we’ll further explain Class 1 Misdemeanors prescribed by Colorado criminal law.
Examples of Class 1 misdemeanors in Colorado include:
- Third Degree Assault
- Harassment
- Aggravated motor vehicle theft (valued at less than $2,000)
- Violation of a protection order
- Aiding escape
- Second-degree forgery
- Defacing a firearm
- Theft of property valued between $1,000-$2,000
- Criminal mischief causing damage valued between $1,000-$2,000
There are also certain misdemeanor crimes that are considered to be of “extraordinary risk,” which means they pose a high risk of danger to the public. This includes criminal charges such as third-degree assault.
If you receive a misdemeanor in Colorado, the criminal process and penalties will vary depending on the class of the charge as well as whether or not the offense was one of “extraordinary risk.” Unlike felony crimes, which are tried in District Court, misdemeanor charges in Colorado are tried in a county court.
Misdemeanor charges also still appear on defendants’ criminal records, and many of these charges and convictions cannot be sealed after the fact. For example, any sex crime or crime of violence, such as domestic violence or assault, may not be sealed. Class 1 and 2 misdemeanor traffic offenses, Class A and B traffic offenses, and DUI and DWAI charges also cannot be sealed or expunged from a criminal record.
For certain misdemeanors, defendants may be given probation rather than jail time. Taggart Howard will be able to help explain the potential ramifications of your criminal charge and what your best bet may be in terms of reaching the most favorable outcome.
Penalties for Class 1 Misdemeanor Convictions in Colorado
Under Colorado law, a criminal conviction for a Class 1 misdemeanor in Colorado is punishable by a maximum of 364 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. Meanwhile, a Class 2 misdemeanor is punishable by up to 120 days in jail, a $750 fine, or both.
